Bhagavad Gita — Arjuna Vishada Yoga, Shloka 9
Arjuna Vishada Yoga
अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः । नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥
anye ca bahavaḥ śūrā madarthe tyaktajīvitāḥ | nānāśastrapraharaṇāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ ||
And many other heroes too, for my sake resolved to lay down their lives—wielding diverse weapons and skilled in the art of war.
And many other heroes also, resolved to give up their lives for my sake, armed with various weapons and skilled in warfare.
And many other brave men too, for my sake having renounced life, equipped with diverse weapons, all experienced in battle.
The phrase ‘tyaktajīvitāḥ’ is idiomatic for ‘ready to risk life’ (steadfast commitment). In a modern, non-graphic framing, it can be rendered as ‘fully committed’ without dwelling on violence.
FAQs
The emphasis on ‘for my sake’ suggests leadership built on personal allegiance; it can reflect how ego and loyalty intertwine in high-stakes group identity.
The verse can be read as a cautionary frame: commitment and skill are powerful, but their ethical value depends on the intention (motivation) guiding them.
It generalizes beyond named figures to a broader supporting force, rounding out the picture of preparedness before the narrative shifts to Arjuna’s inner turmoil.
In nonviolent contexts (work, activism), strong loyalty can energize teams but also narrow judgment. The verse invites scrutiny of whether commitment is to principles or to personalities.