In Bhagavad Gita 1.10, Duryodhana compares the two armies: his own, guarded by Bhishma, and the Pandava army, guarded by Bhima.
Sanskrit Verse
सञ्जय उवाच · Sanjaya said
अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं
बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम्
पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां
बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् ॥ १-१० ॥
aparyāptaṃ tadasmākaṃ
balaṃ bhīṣmābhirakṣitam
paryāptaṃ tvidameteṣāṃ
balaṃ bhīmābhirakṣitam
English transliteration aparyaaptam tadasmaakam
balam bheeshmaabhirakshitam
paryaaptam tvidameteshaam
balam bheemaabhirakshitam ॥ 1.10 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Unlimited is this strength of ours, protected by Bhishma, while their strength, protected by Bhima, is limited.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अपर्याप्तम् aparyāptam | unlimited (also read: insufficient) |
| तत् tat | that |
| अस्माकम् asmākam | of ours |
| बलम् balam | strength, army |
| भीष्माभिरक्षितम् bhīṣmābhirakṣitam | protected by Bhīṣma bhīṣma (Bhīṣma) + abhirakṣitam (protected) |
| पर्याप्तम् paryāptam | limited (also read: sufficient) |
| तु tu | but |
| इदम् idam | this |
| एतेषाम् eteṣām | of these (the Pāṇḍavas) |
| बलम् balam | strength |
| भीमाभिरक्षितम् bhīmābhirakṣitam | protected by Bhīma bhīma (Bhīma) + abhirakṣitam (protected) |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–par–yāp–taṃ ta–das–mā–kaṃ 8 syllables a-par-yaap-tam ta-das-maa-kam
- ba–laṃ bhīṣ–mā–bhi–ra–kṣi–tam | 8 syllables ba-lam bheesh-maa-bhi-ra-kshi-tam
- par–yāp–taṃ tvi–da–me–te–ṣāṃ 8 syllables par-yaap-tam tvi-da-me-te-shaam
- ba–laṃ bhī–mā–bhi–ra–kṣi–tam || 1-10 8 syllables ba-lam bhee-maa-bhi-ra-kshi-tam
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 1 Verse 10
Context
Having named the leaders on both sides (1.3–1.9), Duryodhana now sums up the balance of forces.
Meaning
The Sanskrit word aparyāpta can mean both “unlimited” and “insufficient,” and commentators have read the verse both ways. Taken as boast, Duryodhana claims his larger army, led by the invincible Bhishma, cannot fail. Taken as worry, he admits that his army, led by a grandfather who loves the Pandavas, may not be enough against forces championed by the fierce Bhima. The ambiguity itself is the message: confidence and doubt are mixed in one breath.
The mind that rests on calculation can never be at peace, because every reckoning contains its own uncertainty. Duryodhana counts men and weapons; he does not count truth, conscience or the support of the good, which the Gita will show to be decisive. Real security comes from alignment with dharma, not from the size of one’s forces.
In Practice
When you are weighing your chances in a difficult situation, add one question to the calculation: which course is right? Let that answer carry the most weight.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (The Yoga of Arjuna’s Despondency). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.