Our force, guarded by Bhishma, is insufficient; their force, guarded by Bhima, is sufficient.
— Duryodhana
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Bhagavad Gita · 1.10
Hindi · हिन्दी
वह हमारी सेना पाण्डवों पर विजय करने में अपर्याप्त है, असमर्थ है क्योंकि उसके संरक्षक उभयपक्षपाती भीष्म हैं । परन्तु इन पाण्डवों की सेना हमारे पर विजय करने में पर्याप्त है, समर्थ है क्योंकि इसके संरक्षक निजसेनापक्षपाती भीमसेन हैं ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
अपर्याप्तम्insufficientतत्thatअस्माकम्of usबलम्forceभीष्म-अभिरक्षितम्protected by Bhishmaपर्याप्तम्sufficientतुbutइदम्thisएतेषाम्of theseबलम्forceभीम-अभिरक्षितम्protected by Bhima
Read literallyinsufficient · that · of us · force · protected by Bhishma · sufficient · but · this · of these · force · protected by Bhima
Understanding the verse
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Duryodhana calls his Bhishma-led army insufficient and the Bhima-led Pandava army sufficient, saying his doubt out loud.
01
In plain words
What this verse means
Duryodhana judges his own army as weaker and the Pandavas' army as stronger, based on who protects each side.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Before the first arrow is fired, Duryodhana surveys both armies on Kurukshetra and speaks to Drona. He claims the Kaurava force is not enough and that the Pandava force is stronger, setting the tone for the coming war.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
You walk into a meeting already expecting defeat, and every face seems to confirm it. Fear can make one side look larger before a single word is spoken.
The takeaway
“Panic makes the mind measure strength badly and speak from fear.”
Duryodhana judges his own army as weaker and the Pandavas' army as stronger, based on who protects each side.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 1.10?
Duryodhana speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Arjuna Vishada Yoga" (The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 1.10?
Verse 10 sits in Chapter 1 of the Bhagavad Gita — Arjuna Vishada Yoga, "The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair". The chapter has 47 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 1.10 matter today?
You walk into a meeting already expecting defeat, and every face seems to confirm it. Fear can make one side look larger before a single word is spoken.
Duryodhana calls his Bhishma-led army insufficient and the Bhima-led Pandava army sufficient, saying his doubt out loud.
What this verse means
Duryodhana judges his own army as weaker and the Pandavas' army as stronger, based on who protects each side.
Context & commentary
Before the first arrow is fired, Duryodhana surveys both armies on Kurukshetra and speaks to Drona. He claims the Kaurava force is not enough and that the Pandava force is stronger, setting the tone for the coming war.
What it looks like today
You walk into a meeting already expecting defeat, and every face seems to confirm it. Fear can make one side look larger before a single word is spoken.
“Panic makes the mind measure strength badly and speak from fear.”
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses), battlefield (20 verses), duryodhana (12 verses)