Just as he reaches the peak of his boastful speech, Duryodhana’s confidence shatters in the tenth verse of the Bhagavad Gita. Known as the Aparyaptam Tad Asmakam verse, this line is one of the most psychologically revealing moments in the entire chapter. The Aparyaptam Tad Asmakam verse exposes the truth of Duryodhana’s heart: despite his army’s size, he is terrified.
Sanskrit Verse
अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम् ।
पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् ॥ १० ॥Transliteration
aparyāptaṁ tadasmākaṁ balaṁ bhīṣmābhirakṣitam |
paryāptaṁ tvidameteṣāṁ balaṁ bhīmābhirakṣitam || 10 ||Word for Word Translation
aparyāptam – immeasurable / insufficient; tat – that; asmākam – our; balam – strength; bhīṣma – by Grandsire Bhishma; abhirakṣitam – perfectly protected; paryāptam – limited / sufficient; tu – but; idam – this; eteṣām – of them (the Pandavas); balam – strength; bhīma – by Bhima; abhirakṣitam – carefully protected.
English Translation
Our strength is immeasurable, and we are perfectly protected by Grandsire Bhishma, whereas the strength of the Pandavas, carefully protected by Bhima, is limited.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
The Aparyaptam Tad Asmakam verse is a moment of unintentional confession. The Sanskrit word “aparyāptam” is ambiguous and can mean both “unlimited” and “insufficient.” Similarly, “paryāptam” can mean both “limited” and “sufficient.” While Duryodhana’s words on the surface seem to be a boast, his tone betrays his true feelings. He is saying: “Our army, led by Bhishma, is unlimited, yet it feels insufficient. Their army, led by Bhima, is limited, yet it seems completely sufficient to destroy us.”
Why this sudden fear? The reason lies in the commanders. Bhishma is a mighty warrior, but he is fighting out of a sense of duty, not passion. His heart is divided, as he loves the Pandavas. Duryodhana knows this. On the other hand, Bhima is a force of nature, burning with righteous fury and a desire for vengeance. His protective power is focused and absolute. Duryodhana understands that an army’s true strength isn’t in its numbers, but in its spirit and unity of purpose—a quality the Pandavas have and his own side lacks. The Aparyaptam Tad Asmakam verse reveals this crucial insight.
The structure of the armies, known as the Vyūha, was also a factor. But more than strategy, the Aparyaptam Tad Asmakam verse is about morale. Duryodhana looks at his vast but conflicted army and feels a deep sense of inadequacy.
Conclusion
The Aparyaptam Tad Asmakam verse teaches a timeless lesson about power and perception. It shows that overwhelming material advantage—a bigger army, more resources, greater numbers—can feel worthless in the face of fear and doubt. True strength is not just about what you have, but about the conviction with which you use it.
In our own lives, we may face situations where we seem to have every advantage, yet we feel insufficient for the task ahead. The Aparyaptam Tad Asmakam verse reminds us that our inner state is the ultimate measure of our strength. Duryodhana’s moment of doubt reveals that the battle of Kurukshetra, like all great battles, is first fought and won not on the field, but within the mind.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 – Verse 11 – Ayaneshu Cha Sarveshu
