Bhagavad Gita is not just about war—it’s a book of life lessons. Chapter 1, Verse 10 is a moment when Duryodhana, full of pride, believes his army is invincible just because of its size. Click here to get activity ideas for other chapters and verses.
Table of Contents
Sanskrit Verse & Translation
Original Sanskrit Verse
अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम् |
पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् || 10||
Transliteration
aparyāptaṁ tadasmākaṁ balaṁ bhīṣhmābhirakṣhitam
paryāptaṁ tvidameteṣhāṁ balaṁ bhīmābhirakṣhitam
Word-by-word English Translation of the Verse
First Sentence
अपर्याप्तं (aparyāptaṁ): Infinitely capable
तदस्माकं (tadasmākaṁ): that our
बलं (balaṁ): strength
भीष्माभिरक्षितम् (bhīṣhmābhirakṣhitam): defended by Bheeshma
Second Sentence
पर्याप्तं (paryāptaṁ ): limited
त्विदमेतेषां (tvidameteṣhāṁ): but this there
बलं (balaṁ): strength
भीमाभिरक्षितम् (bhīmābhirakṣhitam): defended by Bheem
English Translation
“Our army, protected by Bhishma, is unlimited, whereas their army, protected by Bhima, is limited.”
What Can Kids Learn From This Verse?
Duryodhana assumes strength is all about numbers, but this verse teaches us:
- Confidence vs. Overconfidence: Being strong is good, but underestimating others can lead to failure.
- True Strength Comes from Wisdom, Not Size: Strategy and righteousness matter more than muscle power.
- The Danger of Ego: Pride can blind us to the reality of a situation.
Age-by-Age Activities for Kids
Ages 3-5: “The Elephant & The Ant” Role-Play
📌 Activity:
- Tell a story where an elephant brags about its strength, but an ant shows how small things can have big power.
- Let kids act it out—one child as an elephant, another as an ant.
- In the end, the “ant” carries something bigger than itself (like a small toy), while the “elephant” struggles to pick up a tiny item with its trunk (their hands behind their back).
🎯 Lesson: Strength isn’t just about size—it’s about how you use it.
Ages 6-9: “The Blindfold Trust Walk”
📌 Activity:
- One child is blindfolded and has to navigate an obstacle course with help from a friend’s instructions.
- Another child tries to do it alone without guidance.
- Compare who performed better.
🎯 Lesson: Even if you’re strong, guidance and teamwork are more powerful than doing things alone.
Ages 10-12: “Duryodhana’s Overconfidence Experiment”
📌 Activity:
- Give a child one minute to stack blocks while blindfolded, telling them, “You’ll definitely succeed, this is easy!”
- Give another child 30 seconds but let them look and plan their move.
- See who builds a taller structure.
🎯 Lesson: Planning and humility beat overconfidence and blind guesses.
Ages 13-15: “History’s Overconfidence Blunders” Debate
📌 Activity:
- Assign students real-life examples of historical overconfidence (e.g., The Titanic, Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, the fall of the Roman Empire).
- Have them research and debate why arrogance led to failure.
🎯 Lesson: Being prepared is better than assuming victory.
How Parents Can Reinforce These Lessons
1. “Count the Hidden Strengths” Activity
- Ask kids: What makes you strong?
- Let them write strengths beyond physical power (e.g., kindness, intelligence, patience).
- Teach that true strength is more than muscles!
2. “Superhero Without Powers” Discussion
- Ask: Would Batman still be strong without his gadgets?
- Discuss how wisdom and strategy matter more than superpowers.
Final Thoughts
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 10 teaches one of life’s most important lessons—strength is not just about numbers but wisdom, teamwork, and humility. These activities help kids understand deep lessons in a fun, interactive way.
Try them out and watch your child grow into a strong, wise, and humble leader! 🚀
