Gita 1.9

Chapter 1: Arjuna's Dilemma

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Gita 1.9
अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः। नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः।।

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

"And many other heroes, ready to give up their lives for my sake, armed with various weapons, all skilled in warfare."

What This Means:

Duryodhana boasts that many warriors are ready to die for HIM—'mad-arthe' (for my sake). This reveals his ego; he sees the war as being about him personally, not about dharma or justice.

Going Deeper:

The phrase 'tyakta-jivitah' (having given up their lives) is poignant. These warriors have already mentally surrendered their lives to Duryodhana's cause. Many will indeed die for his ambition.

How To Apply This:

Be careful what causes you ask others to sacrifice for. Duryodhana frames everything as personal loyalty to him. True leaders unite people around principles, not personalities.

Key Sanskrit Terms:

Mad-arthe= For my sakeTyakta-jivitah= Having given up their lives, ready to die