anye ca bahavaḥ śūrā
mad-arthe tyakta-jīvitāḥ
nānā-śastra-praharaṇāḥ
sarve yuddha-viśāradāḥ
Translation of Bhagavad Gita 1.9
There are many other heroes who are prepared to lay down their lives for my sake. All of them are well equipped with different kinds of weapons, and all are experienced in military science.
Commentary by Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada of Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya:
As far as the others are concerned—like Jayadratha, Kritavarma and Salya—all are determined to lay down their lives for Duryodhana’s sake. In other words, it is already concluded that all of them would die in the Battle of Kurukshetra for joining the party of the sinful Duryodhana. Duryodhana was, of course, confident of his victory on account of the above-mentioned combined strength of his friends.
Commentary by Sri Vishvanatha Chakravarthi Thakur of Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya:
“They are willing to give up their lives in order to help me (tyakta jivitah).” This is the intended meaning of Dhuryodhana, though the literal meaning is “They have given up their lives.” Actually however, Krishna will say:
mayaivaite nihatah purvam eva nimitta-matram bhava savyasacin
These warriors have already been killed by me before the war has started. You be my instrument, O Arjuna. BG 11.33
Thus, the literal meaning of Duryodhana’s words are also completely true.
Commentary by Sri Ramanuja of Sri Sampradaya:
1.1 – 1.19 Dhrtarastra said — Sanjaya said — Duryodhana, after viewing the forces of Pandavas protected by Bhima, and his own forces protected by Bhisma conveyed his views thus to Drona, his teacher, about the adequacy of Bhima’s forces for conquering the Kaurava forces and the inadequacy of his own forces for victory against the Pandava forces. He was grief-stricken within. Observing his (Duryodhana’s) despondecny, Bhisma, in order to cheer him, roared like a lion, and then blowing his conch, made his side sound their conchs and kettle-drums, which made an uproar as a sign of victory. Then, having heard that great tumult, Arjuna and Sri Krsna the Lord of all lords, who was acting as the charioteer of Arjuna, sitting in their great chariot which was powerful enough to conquer the three worlds; blew their divine conchs Srimad Pancajanya and Devadatta. Then, both Yudhisthira and Bhima blew their respective conchs separately. That tumult rent asunder the hearts of your sons, led by Duryodhana. The sons of Dhrtarastra then thought, ‘Our cause is almost lost now itself.’ So said Sanjaya to Dhrtarastra who was longing for their victory. Sanjaya said to Dhrtarastra: Then, seeing the Kauravas, who were ready for battle, Arjuna, who had Hanuman, noted for his exploit of burning Lanka, as the emblem on his flag on his chariot, directed his charioteer Sri Krsna, the Supreme Lord-who is overcome by parental love for those who take shelter in Him who is the treasure-house of knowledge, power, lordship, energy, potency and splendour, whose sportive delight brings about the origin, sustentation and dissolution of the entire cosmos at His will, who is the Lord of the senses, who controls in all ways the senses inner and outer of all, superior and inferior — by saying, ‘Station my chariot in an appropriate place in order that I may see exactly my enemies who are eager for battle.
Commentary by Sri Sridhara Swami of Rudra Sampradaya:
Duryodhana pushes his point further by stating that many other powerful heroes as well are all determined to lay down their lives for the attainment of his purpose and the achievement of his desire. They are all formidable in battle as well.
Commentary by Sri Madhvacharya of Brahma Sampradaya:
Sri Madhvacarya did not comment on this sloka.
Commentary by Sri Keshava Kashmiri of Kumara Sampradaya:
The question may be raised are these the only warriors on Duryodhanas side. In this verse that question is answered by the words anye meaning many others, others like Jayadratha and Salya and Krtavarma who are all ready to lay down their lives for him. If it were to be further questioned as to their capability, this would be verified by 2 descriptive adjectives nana- sastra-praharanah meaning they are equipped with various missles as their weapons and yuddha-visarada meaning they are expert in all forms of military science.
Commentary by Sri Adi Shankaracharya of Advaita Sampradaya:
1.9 Sri Sankaracharya did not comment on this sloka. The commentary starts from 2.10.
Commentary by Sri Abhinavagupta of Kaula Tantra Sampradaya:
1.2 — 1.9 Why this exhaustive counting? The reality of things is this:
Sanskrit Shloka Without Transliteration Marks:
anye ca bahavah sura
mad-arthe tyakta-jivitah
nana-sastra-praharanah
sarve yuddha-visaradah
Sanskrit to English Word for Word Meanings:
anye — others; ca — also; bahavaḥ — in great numbers; śūrāḥ — heroes; mat-arthe — for my sake; tyakta-jīvitāḥ — prepared to risk life; nānā — many; śastra — weapons; praharaṇāḥ — equipped with; sarve — all of them; yuddha-viśāradāḥ — experienced in military science.
