Bg. 1.9

BG 1.9

Devanagari

अन्ये च बहवः श‍ूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः । नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥ ९ ॥

Verse text

anye ca bahavaḥ śūrā mad-arthe tyakta-jīvitāḥ nānā-śastra-praharaṇāḥ sarve yuddha-viśāradāḥ

Synonyms

anye others ; ca also ; bahavaḥ in great numbers ; śūrāḥ heroes ; mat-arthe for my sake ; tyakta-jīvitāḥ prepared to risk life ; nānā many ; śastra weapons ; praharaṇāḥ equipped with ; sarve all of them ; yuddha-viśāradāḥ experienced in military science.

Translation

There are many other heroes who are prepared to lay down their lives for my sake. All of them are well equipped with different kinds of weapons, and all are experienced in military science.

Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

8. There are yourself, Bhīṣma, Karṇa, Kṛpa, winner of wars, Aśvatthāmā, Vikarṇa, and Bhūriśravā. 9. There are also many other brave men who have given up their lives for my sake, skillful at fighting, armed with various missiles and weapons of close combat.

Translation (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)

8-9. There are you, Bhīṣma, Karṇa, Kṛpa, troops of Droṇa and others which are winners of wars, Aśvatthāmā, Vikarṇa, Bhūriśravā, and Jayadratha. There are also many other brave men who have given up their lives for my sake, skillful at fighting, armed with various missiles and weapons of close combat.

Purport

As far as the others are concerned – like Jayadratha, Kṛtavarmā and Śalya – all are determined to lay down their lives for Duryodhana’s sake. In other words, it is already concluded that all of them would die in the Battle of Kurukṣetra for joining the party of the sinful Duryodhana. Duryodhana was, of course, confident of his victory on account of the above-mentioned combined strength of his friends.

Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

Saumadatti refers to Bhūriśravā, the son of Somadatta. “They are willing to give up their lives in order to help me (tyakta-jīvitāḥ).” This is the intended meaning of Duryodhana, though the literal meaning is “They have given up their lives.” Actually however, Kṛṣṇa will later say: mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvam eva nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savyasācin These warriors have already been killed by Me before the war has started. You be My instrument, O Arjuna. BG 11.33 Thus, the literal meaning of Duryodhana’s words are thus completely true.

Purport (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)

Bhavān refers to Droṇa. Vikarṇa was a younger brother of Duryodhana. Saumadatti refers to Bhūriśravā. The troops of Droṇa and others are described as victorious in war (samitiṁjayaḥ). “These are only the outstanding persons on my side. There are also other warriors whose numbers cannot be counted (anye ca). There are many (bahavaḥ) such as Jayadratha, Kṛtavarma and Śalya, who are determined to give up their lives for my sake if necessary (tyakta jīvitāḥ). “My victory will be accomplished because of their intense affection for me, their intense courage, and their knowledge of fighting.” This is his hint in speaking.