Comments on Sloka 10 of Chapter1

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“Aparyaptam tad asmakam  balam bhishmabhi raksitam
 Paryaptam tvidam etesam  balam Bhimabhi raksitam”
 
Here Duryodhana is addressing Dronacharya  comparing the strengths of Pandavas and kawravas army.
There seems to be a difference of opinion in the interpretation of this sloka among well known commentators.  Some commentators give the meaning “unlimited” for the word “aparyaptam” and “limited”to the word “paryaptam”. These commentators view that Duryodhana became fearful at the strength of the Pandavas army and discribed their strength in three verses (4.5,6) and briefly mentioned his strength in just one verse (9).   They interpret:
  1. Duryodhana realized that “dharma” is on the side of Pandavas.
  2. Even though Bhishma is the greatest of all the warriors and can defeat Pandavas single handed , Bhishma has soft corner to  Pandavas.
  3. Bhima on the other hand is so ferocious he will not hesitate to kill even Bhishma.
 Some others give the exact opposite  meaning ; for “aparyaptam”  they give the meaning “complete, insufficient  or “ASUMPOORNAM”  and for  “paryaptam” they give the meaning complete, sufficient or “SAMPOORNAM” .
This  is direct meaning to these words and more appropriate for the context when the Bhishma parva and Udyoga parva of  MAHABHARATHA was kept in mind in which Duryodhana,clearly convinces  his father and Drona charya about the superiority of his army.  Duryodhana was a very arrogant about the superiority of his strength and never doubted his victory.. He knew very well  that Bhishma, Drona and Karna can win the battle for him. He also knew that he had 11 divisions of army while Pandavas was only 7 divisions.
Dr.Devarajulu Naidu Katta.