Bhagavad Gita 1.7-9

Sanskrit

अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम । नायका मम सैन्यस्य संज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते ॥1.7॥भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः । अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ॥1.8॥अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः । नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥1.9॥

Transliteration

asmākaṃ tu viśiṣṭā ye tānnibodha dvijottama | nāyakā mama sainyasya saṃjñārthaṃ tānbravīmi te ‖1.7‖ bhavānbhīṣmaśca karṇaśca kṛpaśca samitiñjayaḥ | aśvatthāmā vikarṇaśca saumadattistathaiva ca ‖1.8‖ anye ca bahavaḥ śūrā madarthe tyaktajīvitāḥ | nānāśastrapraharaṇāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ ‖1.9‖

Meaning

“But know also, O best of the twice-born, the distinguished leaders of my own army, yourself, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa victorious in battle, Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and the son of Somadatta; and many other heroes, skilled in war, armed with various weapons, ready to give up their lives for my sake.”

Key learning

Having scared himself counting the enemy, Duryodhana now counts his own side to feel better. That's the swing of an anxious mind, "they're so strong" then "we're so strong", neither one is calm thinking. And leaning on others being "ready to die for me" is shaky comfort.

How to apply this today

Watch for soothing your fear by tallying your strengths as frantically as you tallied your fears. Real confidence is quieter. Flipping between "we're doomed" and "we're unstoppable" all day means you're riding emotion, not reading reality. Build a steadiness that doesn't depend on constant scorekeeping.

Theme: The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair

This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga , read all verses in this chapter.

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