Duryodhana has now finished listing the important warriors on both sides. He has named the powerful fighters in the Pāṇḍava army. He has also named the leaders and many other heroes in his own army. Now he gives his judgment about the relative strength of the two armies.

He says asmākaṁ balaṁ aparyāptam — “our army is insufficient.” Here balam means army or military force. This is a surprising statement because the Kaurava army is objectively stronger. The Kauravas have eleven akṣauhiṇīs, while the Pāṇḍavas have only seven. The Kaurava side also has great senior warriors such as Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Karṇa, Kṛpa, and Aśvatthāmā.

Duryodhana adds bhīṣmābhirakṣitam — “protected by Bhīṣma.” Bhīṣma is the greatest elder and one of the most powerful warriors on the Kaurava side. Even then, Duryodhana says his army is insufficient. This shows how frightened he has become. The statement is not an objective military judgment; it reveals his inner insecurity.

Then he says eteṣāṁ idaṁ balaṁ paryāptam — “this army of these Pāṇḍavas is sufficient.” In this context, paryāptam means more than sufficient, powerful enough to overwhelm the Kaurava army. He adds bhīmābhirakṣitam — “protected by Bhīma.” Bhīma is powerful, but Bhīṣma is the senior and greater battlefield protector. Still, Duryodhana feels that the Pāṇḍava army protected by Bhīma is strong enough to defeat them.

The deeper point is psychological. Objectively, the Kaurava army is stronger. Numerically it is larger, and in senior warriors also it is stronger. Yet Duryodhana feels weak. This shows that outer strength does not automatically give inner confidence.

Where dharma is absent, inner strength is absent. Duryodhana has repeatedly violated dharma. Because of that, even his vast army does not give him peace. He has material strength but not the quiet confidence that comes from dharma.

There is another missing strength: īśvara-anugraha, the grace of Bhagavān. When Duryodhana and Arjuna had the choice, Duryodhana chose Kṛṣṇa’s army, while Arjuna chose Kṛṣṇa Himself. Duryodhana chose visible material strength. Arjuna chose divine support. Therefore the Pāṇḍavas, though materially smaller, are inwardly stronger.

This shloka brings out Duryodhana’s condition clearly. He has Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Karṇa, Kṛpa, Aśvatthāmā, many heroes, and a larger army. Still he says, “Our army is insufficient.” Fear born of adharma cannot be removed by numbers, weapons, position, or powerful supporters.