Chapter I · Śloka 10
Duryodhana uvāca
अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम् |
पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् ||
पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् ||
aparyāptaṃ tad asmākaṃ balaṃ bhīṣmābhirakṣitam |
paryāptaṃ tv idam eteṣāṃ balaṃ bhīmābhirakṣitam ||
paryāptaṃ tv idam eteṣāṃ balaṃ bhīmābhirakṣitam ||
Our strength, protected by Bhishma, is immeasurable; whereas the strength of the Pandavas, protected by Bhima, is limited.
Scholars debate whether Duryodhana means his own army is immeasurable (strong) or unlimited (stretched thin). The ambiguity may be intentional: he boasts while betraying unease. His grammar and his heart are equally conflicted.