In Bhagavad Gita 1.9, Duryodhana adds that many other heroes, armed with many weapons and skilled in war, are ready to give their lives for his sake.
Sanskrit Verse
सञ्जय उवाच · Sanjaya said
अन्ये च बहवः शूरा
मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः
नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः
सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥ १-९ ॥
anye ca bahavaḥ śūrā
madarthe tyaktajīvitāḥ
nānāśastrapraharaṇāḥ
sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ
English transliteration anye cha bahavah shooraa
madarthe tyaktajeevitaah
naanaashastrapraharanaah
sarve yuddhavishaaradaah ॥ 1.9 ॥
Translation / Meaning
And there are many other heroes, ready to lay down their lives for my sake, armed with various weapons, all of them skilled in warfare.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अन्ये anye | others |
| च ca | and |
| बहवः bahavaḥ | many |
| शूराः śūrāḥ | heroes |
| मदर्थे madarthe | for my sake mat (me) + arthe (for the sake of) |
| त्यक्तजीविताः tyaktajīvitāḥ | ready to give up their lives tyakta (given up) + jīvitāḥ (lives) |
| नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः nānāśastrapraharaṇāḥ | armed with various weapons nānā (various) + śastra (weapons) + praharaṇāḥ (striking) |
| सर्वे sarve | all |
| युद्धविशारदाः yuddhaviśāradāḥ | skilled in warfare yuddha (war) + viśāradāḥ (expert) |
Word-wise Chanting
- an–ye ca ba–ha–vaḥ śū–rā 8 syllables an-ye cha ba-ha-vah shoo-raa
- ma–dar–the tyak–ta–jī–vi–tāḥ | 8 syllables ma-dar-the tyak-ta-jee-vi-taah
- nā–nā–śas–trap–ra–ha–ra–ṇāḥ 8 syllables naa-naa-shas-trap-ra-ha-ra-naah
- sar–ve yud–dha–vi–śā–ra–dāḥ || 1-9 8 syllables sar-ve yud-dha-vi-shaa-ra-daah
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 9
Context
This verse completes Duryodhana’s list of his own forces (1.8–1.9).
Meaning
Duryodhana’s phrase “for my sake” reveals the centre of his world. He sees the whole army as an extension of his will, men ready to die so that he may rule. The Pandava allies of 1.4–1.6 were praised for their own valour; Duryodhana’s allies are praised for their willingness to sacrifice themselves for him.
This is the voice of ego at its fullest: everything is measured by what it does for “me.” Later Krishna will teach the opposite orientation, action offered for the good of all, lokasaṅgraha (3.20). The contrast begins here. When the self is the centre, even loyalty becomes something to be used.
In Practice
Look at one project or relationship and ask honestly whose good it really serves. Shift one small action today toward the good of everyone involved.
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.