After listing his top commanders, Duryodhana broadens his scope in the ninth verse of the Bhagavad Gita, known as the Anye Cha Bahavah Shura verse. He moves from the named legends to the anonymous, countless heroes who make up the bulk of his army. The Anye Cha Bahavah Shura verse is his ultimate boast about the sheer scale and unwavering devotion of his forces.
Sanskrit Verse
अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः ।
नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥ ९ ॥Transliteration
anye ca bahavaḥ śūrā madarthe tyaktajīvitāḥ |
nānāśastrapraharaṇāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ || 9 ||Word for Word Translation
anye – others; ca – also; bahavaḥ – many; śūrāḥ – heroes; madarthe – for my sake; tyaktajīvitāḥ – prepared to risk their lives; nānā – many; śastra – weapons; praharaṇāḥ – equipped with; sarve – all of them; yuddhaviśāradāḥ – experienced in military science.
English Translation
Many other heroes are prepared to lay down their lives for my sake. All of them are well-equipped with various kinds of weapons, and all are experienced in military science.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
The Anye Cha Bahavah Shura verse reveals the peak of Duryodhana’s arrogance and his source of confidence. He makes two profound claims about his army to Dronacharya. First, he states they are “madarthe tyaktajīvitāḥ” – ready to sacrifice their lives “for my sake.” This is incredibly significant. He doesn’t say they are fighting for the kingdom of Hastinapura, for justice, or for their duty as Kshatriyas. He claims their loyalty is personal and absolute to him alone. This highlights his egocentric view of the entire Kurukshetra War.
Second, he declares that they are “sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ” – that all of them are “experts in the art of warfare.” This is a strategic exaggeration. While an army has skilled soldiers, not every single one can be a master. This hyperbole is meant to create an image of an invincible force with no weak links. The entire point of the Anye Cha Bahavah Shura verse is to paint a picture of an army that is not only massive in number but also perfect in skill and fanatical in its devotion.
This statement in the Anye Cha Bahavah Shura verse serves to completely erase any lingering doubt Duryodhana may have. He has named his champions, and now he has claimed the unwavering support of a countless, highly-skilled army. He believes his position is unassailable.
Conclusion
The Anye Cha Bahavah Shura verse offers a deep insight into the mindset of a leader on the brink of conflict. It shows how confidence can be built not just on the strength of a few elites, but on the perceived loyalty of the many. Duryodhana’s words are a powerful reminder of the bond between a leader and their followers, but they also carry a warning about the dangers of ego. When a leader believes that others are willing to die “for their sake,” it can lead to reckless and devastating decisions.
The lesson from Anye Cha Bahavah Shura is twofold. On one hand, it speaks to the importance of a team’s collective strength and dedication. On the other hand, it cautions us to examine our motivations. Are we fighting for a cause, a principle, a kingdom—or merely for the sake of a single person’s ambition? It’s a question that echoes from the battlefield of Kurukshetra into our own lives.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 – Verse 10 – Aparyaptam Tad Asmakam
