Bhagavad Gita 1.9 · Sanjaya
Ready to die for me
अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः।
नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः॥
anye ca bahavaḥ śūrā madarthe tyaktajīvitāḥnānāśastrapraharaṇāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ
And many other heroes are ready to give their lives for my sake. They bear many weapons, and all are skilled in war.
What it means
Duryodhana boasts that countless warriors have staked their lives on him. There is pride in the line, and something chilling too. He speaks of other people's lives as if they were his. For my sake. He does not seem to feel the weight of what they are giving.
The story
Kings arrive with whole armies, bound by alliance, debt or friendship. Karna fights for Duryodhana because, long ago, Duryodhana honoured him when others mocked his birth. Gratitude brought Karna here. Duryodhana counts him as one more sword.
In your life
Picture a founder whose team has worked every weekend before a launch. On stage, he says my product, my win. If people are carrying you right now, name them tonight. Thank them, and ask what their effort has cost.
No one's sacrifice is ours to own.