Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 1 / 18

अर्जुनविषादयोग

Arjun Viṣhād Yog

Arjuna's Dilemma · 47 verses

Chapter Summary

The first chapter of the Bhagavad Gita - "Arjuna Vishada Yoga" introduces the setup, the setting, the characters and the circumstances that led to the epic battle of Mahabharata, fought between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. It outlines the reasons that led to the revelation of the of Bhagavad Gita. As both armies stand ready for the battle, the mighty warrior Arjuna, on observing the warriors on both sides becomes increasingly sad and depressed due to the fear of losing his relatives and friends and the consequent sins attributed to killing his own relatives. So, he surrenders to Lord Krishna, seeking a solution. Thus, follows the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita.

1.1 →

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः। मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय॥

dhṛitarāśhtra uvācha dharma-kṣhetre kuru-kṣhetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāśhchaiva kimakurvata sañjaya

MeaningDhritarashtra said, "What did my people and the sons of Pandu do when they had assembled together, eager for battle, on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?"

dhṛitarāśhtraḥ uvācha — Dhritarashtra saiddharma-kṣhetre — the land of dharmakuru-kṣhetre — at Kurukshetrasamavetāḥ — having gatheredyuyutsavaḥ — desiring to fightmāmakāḥ — my sonspāṇḍavāḥ — the sons of Panducha — andeva — certainlykim — whatakurvata — did they dosañjaya — Sanjay

Commentary

Dharmakshetra -- that place which protects Dharma is Dharmakshetra. Because it was in the land of the Kurus, it was called Kurukshetra. Sanjaya is one who has conered likes and dislikes and who is impartial.

1.2 →

सञ्जय उवाच दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा। आचार्यमुपसङ्गम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत्॥

sañjaya uvācha dṛiṣhṭvā tu pāṇḍavānīkaṁ vyūḍhaṁ duryodhanastadā āchāryamupasaṅgamya rājā vachanamabravīt

MeaningSanjaya said: Having seen the army of the Pandavas drawn up in battle array, King Duryodhana approached his teacher, Drona, and spoke these words.

sanjayaḥ uvācha — Sanjay saiddṛiṣhṭvā — on observingtu — butpāṇḍava-anīkam — the Pandava armyvyūḍham — standing in a military formationduryodhanaḥ — King Duryodhantadā — thenāchāryam — teacherupasaṅgamya — approachedrājā — the kingvachanam — wordsabravīt — spoke

Commentary

1.3 →

पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम्। व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता॥

paśhyaitāṁ pāṇḍu-putrāṇām āchārya mahatīṁ chamūm vyūḍhāṁ drupada-putreṇa tava śhiṣhyeṇa dhīmatā

MeaningBehold, O Teacher! This mighty army of the sons of Pandu, arrayed by the son of Drupada, thy wise disciple.

paśhya — beholdetām — thispāṇḍu-putrāṇām — of the sons of Panduāchārya — respected teachermahatīm — mightychamūm — armyvyūḍhām — arrayed in a military formationdrupada-putreṇa — son of Drupad, Dhrishtadyumnatava — by yourśhiṣhyeṇa — discipledhī-matā — intelligent

Commentary

1.4 →

अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि। युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः॥

atra śhūrā maheṣhvāsā bhīmārjuna-samā yudhi yuyudhāno virāṭaśhcha drupadaśhcha mahā-rathaḥ

MeaningHere are heroes, mighty archers, equal in battle to Bhima and Arjuna, Yuyudhana (Satyaki), Virata, and Drupada—all mighty warriors.

atra — hereśhūrāḥ — powerful warriorsmahā-iṣhu-āsāḥ — great bowmenbhīma-arjuna-samāḥ — equal to Bheem and Arjunyudhi — in military prowessyuyudhānaḥ — Yuyudhanvirāṭaḥ — Viratcha — anddrupadaḥ — Drupadcha — alsomahā-rathaḥ — warriors who could single handedly match the strength of ten thousand ordinary warriors

Commentary

Technically, maharatha means a warrior who is proficient in the science of war and who is able to fight alone with ten thousand archers.

1.5 →

धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान्। पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गवः॥

dhṛiṣhṭaketuśhchekitānaḥ kāśhirājaśhcha vīryavān purujit kuntibhojaśhcha śhaibyaśhcha nara-puṅgavaḥ yudhāmanyuśhcha vikrānta uttamaujāśhcha vīryavān

MeaningDhrishtaketu, Chekitana, the valiant king of Kasi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Saibya—the best of men.

dhṛiṣhṭaketuḥ — Dhrishtaketuchekitānaḥ — Chekitankāśhirājaḥ — Kashirajcha — andvīrya-vān — heroicpurujit — Purujitkuntibhojaḥ — Kuntibhojcha — andśhaibyaḥ — Shaibyacha — andnara-puṅgavaḥ — best of menyudhāmanyuḥ — Yudhamanyucha — andvikrāntaḥ — courageousuttamaujāḥ — Uttamaujacha — andvīrya-vān — gallant

Commentary

1.6 →

युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान्। सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथाः॥

saubhadro draupadeyāśhcha sarva eva mahā-rathāḥ

MeaningThe strong Yudhamanyu and the brave Uttamaujas, the son of Subhadra (Abhimanyu, the son of Subhadra and Arjuna), and the sons of Draupadi, all of them great charioteers (great heroes)."

saubhadraḥ — the son of Subhadradraupadeyāḥ — the sons of Draupadicha — andsarve — alleva — indeedmahā-rathāḥ — warriors who could single handedly match the strength of ten thousand ordinary warriors

Commentary

1.7 →

अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम। नायका मम सैन्यस्य संज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते॥

asmākaṁ tu viśhiṣhṭā ye tānnibodha dwijottama nāyakā mama sainyasya sanjñārthaṁ tānbravīmi te

MeaningKnow also, O best among the twice-born! the names of those who are the most distinguished amongst ourselves, the leaders of my army; these I name to you for your information.

asmākam — ourstu — butviśhiṣhṭāḥ — specialye — whotān — themnibodha — be informeddwija-uttama — best of Brahmnisnāyakāḥ — principal generalsmama — oursainyasya — of armysanjñā-artham — for informationtān — thembravīmi — I recountte — unto you

Commentary

1.8 →

भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः। अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च॥

bhavānbhīṣhmaśhcha karṇaśhcha kṛipaśhcha samitiñjayaḥ aśhvatthāmā vikarṇaśhcha saumadattis tathaiva cha

Meaning"Thou thyself, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa, the victorious in war, Asvatthama, Vikarna, and Bhurisrava, the son of Somadatta—all these are ready for battle."

bhavān — yourselfbhīṣhmaḥ — Bheeshmacha — andkarṇaḥ — Karnacha — andkṛipaḥ — Kripacha — andsamitim-jayaḥ — victorious in battleaśhvatthāmā — Ashvatthamavikarṇaḥ — Vikarnacha — andsaumadattiḥ — Bhurishravatathā — thuseva — evencha — also

Commentary

1.9 →

अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः। नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः॥

anye cha bahavaḥ śhūrā madarthe tyaktajīvitāḥ nānā-śhastra-praharaṇāḥ sarve yuddha-viśhāradāḥ

MeaningAnd also many other heroes, ready to give up their lives for my sake, armed with various weapons and missiles, all well-skilled in battle.

anye — otherscha — alsobahavaḥ — manyśhūrāḥ — heroic warriorsmat-arthe — for my saketyakta-jīvitāḥ — prepared to lay down their livesnānā-śhastra-praharaṇāḥ — equipped with various kinds of weaponssarve — allyuddha-viśhāradāḥ — skilled in the art of warfare

Commentary

1.10 →

अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम्। पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम्॥

aparyāptaṁ tadasmākaṁ balaṁ bhīṣhmābhirakṣhitam paryāptaṁ tvidameteṣhāṁ balaṁ bhīmābhirakṣhitam

MeaningOur army, marshalled by Bhishma, is insufficient, whereas theirs, marshalled by Bhima, is sufficient.

aparyāptam — unlimitedtat — thatasmākam — oursbalam — strengthbhīṣhma — by Grandsire Bheeshmaabhirakṣhitam — safely marshalledparyāptam — limitedtu — butidam — thiseteṣhām — theirbalam — strengthbhīma — Bheemabhirakṣhitam — carefully marshalled

Commentary

The verse is differently interpreted by different commentators. Sridhara Swami takes the word aparyaptam to mean insufficient. Ananda Giri takes it to mean unlimited.

1.11 →

अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः। भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि॥

ayaneṣhu cha sarveṣhu yathā-bhāgamavasthitāḥ bhīṣhmamevābhirakṣhantu bhavantaḥ sarva eva hi

MeaningTherefore, do all of you, stationed in your respective positions in the several divisions of the army, protect Bhishma alone.

ayaneṣhu — at the strategic pointscha — alsosarveṣhu — allyathā-bhāgam — in respective positionavasthitāḥ — situatedbhīṣhmam — to Grandsire Bheeshmaeva — onlyabhirakṣhantu — defendbhavantaḥ — yousarve — alleva hi — even as

Commentary

1.12 →

तस्य संजनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः। सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान्॥

tasya sañjanayan harṣhaṁ kuru-vṛiddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ siṁha-nādaṁ vinadyochchaiḥ śhaṅkhaṁ dadhmau pratāpavān

MeaningHis glorious grandsire, the oldest of the Kauravas, roared like a lion to cheer Duryodhana and blew his conch.

tasya — hissañjanayan — causingharṣham — joykuru-vṛiddhaḥ — the grand old man of the Kuru dynasty (Bheeshma)pitāmahaḥ — grandfathersinha-nādam — lion’s roarvinadya — soundinguchchaiḥ — very loudlyśhaṅkham — conch shelldadhmau — blewpratāpa-vān — the glorious

Commentary

1.13 →

ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः। सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत्॥

tataḥ śhaṅkhāśhcha bheryaśhcha paṇavānaka-gomukhāḥ sahasaivābhyahanyanta sa śhabdastumulo ’bhavat

MeaningThen, suddenly, conches, kettledrums, tabors, drums, and cow horns blared forth from the Kaurava side, and the sound was tremendous.

tataḥ — thereafterśhaṅkhāḥ — conchescha — andbheryaḥ — buglescha — andpaṇava-ānaka — drums and kettledrumsgo-mukhāḥ — trumpetssahasā — suddenlyeva — indeedabhyahanyanta — blared forthsaḥ — thatśhabdaḥ — soundtumulaḥ — overwhelmingabhavat — was

Commentary

1.14 →

ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ। माधवः पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदध्मतुः॥

tataḥ śhvetairhayairyukte mahati syandane sthitau mādhavaḥ pāṇḍavaśhchaiva divyau śhaṅkhau pradadhmatuḥ

MeaningThen, Madhava (Krishna) and the son of Pandu (Arjuna), seated in the magnificent chariot yoked with white horses, blew divine conches.

tataḥ — thenśhvetaiḥ — by whitehayaiḥ — horsesyukte — yokedmahati — glorioussyandane — chariotsthitau — seatedmādhavaḥ — Shree Krishna, the husband of the goddess of fortune, Lakshmipāṇḍavaḥ — Arjuncha — andeva — alsodivyau — Divineśhaṅkhau — conch shellspradadhmatuḥ — blew

Commentary

1.15 →

पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनंजयः। पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः॥

pāñchajanyaṁ hṛiṣhīkeśho devadattaṁ dhanañjayaḥ pauṇḍraṁ dadhmau mahā-śhaṅkhaṁ bhīma-karmā vṛikodaraḥ

MeaningHrishikesha blew the Panchajanya, Arjuna blew the Devadatta, and Bhima, the wolf-bellied doer of terrible deeds, blew the great conch Paundra.

pāñchajanyam — the conch shell named Panchajanyahṛiṣhīka-īśhaḥ — Shree Krishna, the Lord of the mind and sensesdevadattam — the conch shell named Devaduttadhanam-jayaḥ — Arjun, the winner of wealthpauṇḍram — the conch named Paundradadhmau — blewmahā-śhaṅkham — mighty conchbhīma-karmā — one who performs herculean tasksvṛika-udaraḥ — Bheem, the voracious eater

Commentary

1.16 →

अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ॥

anantavijayaṁ rājā kuntī-putro yudhiṣhṭhiraḥ nakulaḥ sahadevaśhcha sughoṣha-maṇipuṣhpakau

MeaningKing Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, blew the Anantavijaya; Nakula and Sahadeva blew the Sughosha and the Manipushpaka.

ananta-vijayam — the conch named Anantavijayrājā — kingkuntī-putraḥ — son of Kuntiyudhiṣhṭhiraḥ — Yudhishthirnakulaḥ — Nakulsahadevaḥ — Sahadevcha — andsughoṣha-maṇipuṣhpakau — the conche shells named Sughosh and Manipushpak

Commentary

1.17 →

काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः। धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः॥

kāśhyaśhcha parameṣhvāsaḥ śhikhaṇḍī cha mahā-rathaḥ dhṛiṣhṭadyumno virāṭaśhcha sātyakiśh chāparājitaḥ

MeaningThe king of Kasi, an excellent archer, Sikhandi, the mighty car-warrior, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and Satyaki, the unconquered.

kāśhyaḥ — King of Kashicha — andparama-iṣhu-āsaḥ — the excellent archerśhikhaṇḍī — Shikhandicha — alsomahā-rathaḥ — warriors who could single handedly match the strength of ten thousand ordinary warriorsdhṛiṣhṭadyumnaḥ — Dhrishtadyumnavirāṭaḥ — Viratcha — andsātyakiḥ — Satyakicha — andaparājitaḥ — invincible

Commentary

1.18 →

द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते। सौभद्रश्च महाबाहुः शङ्खान्दध्मुः पृथक्पृथक्॥

drupado draupadeyāśhcha sarvaśhaḥ pṛithivī-pate saubhadraśhcha mahā-bāhuḥ śhaṅkhāndadhmuḥ pṛithak pṛithak

MeaningDrupada and the sons of Draupadi, O Lord of the Earth, and the son of Subhadra, the mighty-armed, blew their conches each separately.

drupadaḥ — Drupaddraupadeyāḥ — the five sons of Draupadicha — andsarvaśhaḥ — allpṛithivī-pate — Ruler of the earthsaubhadraḥ — Abhimanyu, the son of Subhadracha — alsomahā-bāhuḥ — the mighty-armedśhaṅkhān — conch shellsdadhmuḥ — blewpṛithak pṛithak — individually

Commentary

This blowing of conches announced the commencement of the battle.

1.19 →

स घोषो धार्तराष्ट्राणां हृदयानि व्यदारयत्। नभश्च पृथिवीं चैव तुमुलो व्यनुनादयन्॥

sa ghoṣho dhārtarāṣhṭrāṇāṁ hṛidayāni vyadārayat nabhaśhcha pṛithivīṁ chaiva tumulo nunādayan

MeaningThe tumultuous sound rent the hearts of Dhritarashtra's party, reverberating through both heaven and earth.

saḥ — thatghoṣhaḥ — sounddhārtarāṣhṭrāṇām — of Dhritarashtra’s sonshṛidayāni — heartsvyadārayat — shatterednabhaḥ — the skycha — andpṛithivīm — the earthcha — andeva — certainlytumulaḥ — terrific soundabhyanunādayan — thundering

Commentary

1.20 →

अथ व्यवस्थितान् दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान्कपिध्वजः। प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसंपाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः॥

atha vyavasthitān dṛiṣhṭvā dhārtarāṣhṭrān kapi-dhwajaḥ pravṛitte śhastra-sampāte dhanurudyamya pāṇḍavaḥ hṛiṣhīkeśhaṁ tadā vākyam idam āha mahī-pate

MeaningThen, seeing the people of Dhritarashtra's party standing arrayed and the discharge of weapons about to begin, Arjuna, the son of Pandu whose ensign was a monkey, took up his bow and said the following to Krishna, O Lord of the Earth.

atha — thereuponvyavasthitān — arrayeddṛiṣhṭvā — seeingdhārtarāṣhṭrān — Dhritarashtra’s sonskapi-dwajaḥ — the Monkey Banneredpravṛitte — about to commenceśhastra-sampāte — to use the weaponsdhanuḥ — bowudyamya — taking uppāṇḍavaḥ — Arjun, the son of Panduhṛiṣhīkeśham — to Shree Krishnatadā — at that timevākyam — wordsidam — theseāha — saidmahī-pate — King

Commentary

1.21 →

अर्जुन उवाच हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत॥

arjuna uvācha senayor ubhayor madhye rathaṁ sthāpaya me ’chyuta

MeaningArjuna said, "O Krishna, place my chariot in the middle between the two armies, so that I may behold those who stand here, desirous to fight, and know with whom I must fight when the battle is about to commence."

arjunaḥ uvācha — Arjun saidsenayoḥ — armiesubhayoḥ — bothmadhye — in the middleratham — chariotsthāpaya — placeme — myachyuta — Shree Krishna, the infallible One

Commentary

1.22 →

यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान्। कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन्रणसमुद्यमे॥

yāvadetān nirīkṣhe ’haṁ yoddhu-kāmān avasthitān kairmayā saha yoddhavyam asmin raṇa-samudyame

yāvat — as many asetān — thesenirīkṣhe — lookaham — Iyoddhu-kāmān — for the battleavasthitān — arrayedkaiḥ — with whommayā — by mesaha — togetheryoddhavyam — must fightasmin — in thisraṇa-samudyame — great combat

Commentary

1.23 →

योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः। धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः॥

yotsyamānān avekṣhe ’haṁ ya ete ’tra samāgatāḥ dhārtarāṣhṭrasya durbuddher yuddhe priya-chikīrṣhavaḥ

MeaningFor I desire to observe those who are assembled here to fight, wishing to please in battle the evil-minded Duryodhana—the son of Dhritarashtra.

yotsyamānān — those who have come to fightavekṣhe aham — I desire to seeye — whoete — thoseatra — heresamāgatāḥ — assembleddhārtarāṣhṭrasya — of Dhritarashtra’s sondurbuddheḥ — evil-mindedyuddhe — in the fightpriya-chikīrṣhavaḥ — wishing to please

Commentary

1.24 →

संजय उवाच एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम्॥

sañjaya uvācha evam ukto hṛiṣhīkeśho guḍākeśhena bhārata senayor ubhayor madhye sthāpayitvā rathottamam

MeaningSanjaya said, Thus addressed by Arjuna, Krishna stationed the best of chariots, O Dhritarashtra, in the midst of the two armies.

sañjayaḥ uvācha — Sanjay saidevam — thusuktaḥ — addressedhṛiṣhīkeśhaḥ — Shree Krishna, the Lord of the sensesguḍākeśhena — by Arjun, the conqueror of sleepbhārata — descendant of Bharatsenayoḥ — armiesubhayoḥ — the twomadhye — betweensthāpayitvā — having drawnratha-uttamam — magnificent chariot

Commentary

1.25 →

भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम्। उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति॥

bhīṣhma-droṇa-pramukhataḥ sarveṣhāṁ cha mahī-kṣhitām uvācha pārtha paśhyaitān samavetān kurūn iti

MeaningIn front of Bhishma and Drona, and all the rulers of the earth, he said: "O Arjuna, son of Pritha, behold these Kurus gathered together."

bhīṣhma — Grandsire Bheeshmadroṇa — Dronacharyapramukhataḥ — in the presencesarveṣhām — allcha — andmahī-kṣhitām — other kingsuvācha — saidpārtha — Arjun, the son of Prithapaśhya — beholdetān — thesesamavetān — gatheredkurūn — descendants of Kuruiti — thus

Commentary

1.26 →

तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितृ़नथ पितामहान्। आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातृ़न्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा॥

tatrāpaśhyat sthitān pārthaḥ pitṝīn atha pitāmahān āchāryān mātulān bhrātṝīn putrān pautrān sakhīṁs tathā śhvaśhurān suhṛidaśh chaiva senayor ubhayor api

MeaningThen, Arjuna (son of Pritha) saw there (in the armies) stationed fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends.

tatra — thereapaśhyat — sawsthitān — stationedpārthaḥ — Arjunpitṝīn — fathersatha — thereafterpitāmahān — grandfathersāchāryān — teachersmātulān — maternal unclesbhrātṝīn — brothersputrān — sonspautrān — grandsonssakhīn — friendstathā — alsośhvaśhurān — fathers-in-lawsuhṛidaḥ — well-wisherscha — andeva — indeedsenayoḥ — armiesubhayoḥ — in both armiesapi — also

Commentary

1.27 →

श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि। तान्समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेयः सर्वान्बन्धूनवस्थितान्॥

tān samīkṣhya sa kaunteyaḥ sarvān bandhūn avasthitān kṛipayā parayāviṣhṭo viṣhīdann idam abravīt

MeaningHe saw fathers-in-law and friends in both the armies. The son of Kunti, Arjuna, seeing all those kinsmen thus standing arrayed, spoke sorrowfully, deeply filled with pity.

tān — thesesamīkṣhya — on seeingsaḥ — theykaunteyaḥ — Arjun, the son of Kuntisarvān — allbandhūn — relativesavasthitān — presentkṛipayā — by compassionparayā — greatāviṣhṭaḥ — overwhelmedviṣhīdan — deep sorrowidam — thisabravīt — spoke

Commentary

1.28 →

अर्जुन उवाच कृपया परयाऽऽविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत्। दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम्॥

arjuna uvācha dṛiṣhṭvemaṁ sva-janaṁ kṛiṣhṇa yuyutsuṁ samupasthitam

MeaningArjuna said, "O Krishna, seeing my kinsmen arrayed here, eager to fight,

arjunaḥ uvācha — Arjun saiddṛiṣhṭvā — on seeingimam — thesesva-janam — kinsmenkṛiṣhṇa — Krishnayuyutsum — eager to fightsamupasthitam — present

Commentary

1.29 →

सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति। वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते॥

sīdanti mama gātrāṇi mukhaṁ cha pariśhuṣhyati vepathuśh cha śharīre me roma-harṣhaśh cha jāyate

MeaningMy limbs fail, my mouth is parched, my body quivers, and my hair stands on end.

sīdanti — quiveringmama — mygātrāṇi — limbsmukham — mouthcha — andpariśhuṣhyati — is drying up vepathuḥ—shudderingcha — andśharīre — on the bodyme — myroma-harṣhaḥ — standing of bodily hair on endcha — alsojāyate — is happening

Commentary

1.30 →

गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते। न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः॥

gāṇḍīvaṁ sraṁsate hastāt tvak chaiva paridahyate na cha śhaknomy avasthātuṁ bhramatīva cha me manaḥ

MeaningThe Gandiva slips from my hand, and my skin burns all over; I am unable to stand, and my mind is reeling, as it were.

gāṇḍīvam — Arjun’s bowsraṁsate — is slippinghastāt — from (my) handtvak — skincha — andeva — indeedparidahyate — is burning all overna — notcha — andśhaknomi — am ableavasthātum — remain steadybhramati iva — whirling likecha — andme — mymanaḥ — mind

Commentary

1.31 →

निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव। न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे॥

nimittāni cha paśhyāmi viparītāni keśhava na cha śhreyo ’nupaśhyāmi hatvā sva-janam āhave

MeaningAnd I see ill omens, O Kesava. I do not see any good in slaying my kinsmen in battle.

nimittāni — omenscha — andpaśhyāmi — I seeviparītāni — misfortunekeśhava — Shree Krishna, killer of the Keshi demonna — notcha — alsośhreyaḥ — goodanupaśhyāmi — I foreseehatvā — from killingsva-janam — kinsmenāhave — in battle

Commentary

Kesava means he who has fine or luxuriant hair.

1.32 →

न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च। किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा॥

na kāṅkṣhe vijayaṁ kṛiṣhṇa na cha rājyaṁ sukhāni cha kiṁ no rājyena govinda kiṁ bhogair jīvitena vā

MeaningI desire not victory, O Krishna, nor kingdom, nor pleasures. What use is dominion to us, O Krishna, or pleasures or even life?

na — norkāṅkṣhe — do I desirevijayam — victorykṛiṣhṇa — Krishnana — norcha — as wellrājyam — kingdomsukhāni — happinesscha — alsokim — whatnaḥ — to usrājyena — by kingdomgovinda — Krishna, he who gives pleasure to the senses, he who is fond of cowskim — what?bhogaiḥ — pleasuresjīvitena — lifevā — or

Commentary

1.33 →

येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च। त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च॥

yeṣhām arthe kāṅkṣhitaṁ no rājyaṁ bhogāḥ sukhāni cha ta ime ’vasthitā yuddhe prāṇāṁs tyaktvā dhanāni cha

MeaningThose for whose sake we desire kingdom, enjoyments, and pleasures stand here in battle, having renounced life and wealth.

yeṣhām — for whosearthe — sakekāṅkṣhitam — coveted fornaḥ — by usrājyam — kingdombhogāḥ — pleasuressukhāni — happinesscha — alsote — theyime — theseavasthitāḥ — situatedyuddhe — for battleprāṇān — livestyaktvā — giving updhanāni — wealthcha — also

Commentary

1.34 →

आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः। मातुलाः श्चशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः सम्बन्धिनस्तथा॥

āchāryāḥ pitaraḥ putrās tathaiva cha pitāmahāḥ mātulāḥ śhvaśhurāḥ pautrāḥ śhyālāḥ sambandhinas tathā

MeaningTeachers, fathers, sons, and grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives—

āchāryāḥ — teacherspitaraḥ — fathersputrāḥ — sonstathā — as welleva — indeedcha — alsopitāmahāḥ — grandfathersmātulāḥ — maternal unclesśhvaśhurāḥ — fathers-in-lawpautrāḥ — grandsonsśhyālāḥ — brothers-in-lawsambandhinaḥ — kinsmentathā — as well

Commentary

1.35 →

एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन। अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते॥

etān na hantum ichchhāmi ghnato ’pi madhusūdana api trailokya-rājyasya hetoḥ kiṁ nu mahī-kṛite

MeaningThese I do not wish to kill, O Krishna, even though they kill me, for the sake of dominion over the three worlds; leave alone killing them for the sake of the earth."

etān — thesena — nothantum — to slayichchhāmi — I wishghnataḥ — killedapi — even thoughmadhusūdana — Shree Krishna, killer of the demon Madhuapi — even thoughtrai-lokya-rājyasya — dominion over three worldshetoḥ — for the sake ofkim nu — what to speak ofmahī-kṛite — for the earth

Commentary

1.36 →

निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन। पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः॥

nihatya dhārtarāṣhṭrān naḥ kā prītiḥ syāj janārdana pāpam evāśhrayed asmān hatvaitān ātatāyinaḥ

MeaningBy killing these sons of Dhritarashtra, what pleasure could be ours, O Janardana? Only sin would accrue to us from killing these felons.

nihatya — by killingdhārtarāṣhṭrān — the sons of Dhritarashtranaḥ — ourkā — whatprītiḥ — pleasuresyāt — will there bejanārdana — he who looks after the public, Shree Krishnapāpam — viceseva — certainlyāśhrayet — must come uponasmān — ushatvā — by killingetān — all theseātatāyinaḥ — aggressors

Commentary

Janardana means one who is worshipped by all for prosperity and salvation -- Krishna. He who sets fire to the house of another, who gives poision, who runs with sword to kill, who has plundered wealth and lands, and who has taken hold of the wife of somody else is an atatayi. Duryodhana had done all these evil actions.

1.37 →

तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्स्वबान्धवान्। स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव॥

tasmān nārhā vayaṁ hantuṁ dhārtarāṣhṭrān sa-bāndhavān sva-janaṁ hi kathaṁ hatvā sukhinaḥ syāma mādhava

MeaningTherefore, we should not kill the sons of Dhritarashtra, our relatives; for how can we be happy by killing our own kin, O Madhava (Krishna)?

tasmāt — hencena — neverarhāḥ — behoovevayam — wehantum — to killdhārtarāṣhṭrān — the sons of Dhritarashtrasva-bāndhavān — along with friendssva-janam — kinsmenhi — certainlykatham — howhatvā — by killingsukhinaḥ — happysyāma — will we becomemādhava — Shree Krishna, the husband of Yogmaya

Commentary

1.38 →

यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम्॥

yady apy ete na paśhyanti lobhopahata-chetasaḥ kula-kṣhaya-kṛitaṁ doṣhaṁ mitra-drohe cha pātakam

MeaningThough they, with intelligence overpowered by greed, see no evil in the destruction of families and no sin in hostility to friends,

yadi api — even thoughete — theyna — notpaśhyanti — seelobha — greedupahata — overpoweredchetasaḥ — thoughtskula-kṣhaya-kṛitam — in annihilating their relativesdoṣham — faultmitra-drohe — to wreak treachery upon friendscha — andpātakam — sin

Commentary

1.39 →

कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम्। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन॥

kathaṁ na jñeyam asmābhiḥ pāpād asmān nivartitum kula-kṣhaya-kṛitaṁ doṣhaṁ prapaśhyadbhir janārdana

MeaningWhy should we not, who clearly see the evil in the destruction of families, learn to turn away from this sin, O Janardana (Krishna)?

katham — whyna — notjñeyam — should be knownasmābhiḥ — wepāpāt — from sinasmāt — thesenivartitum — to turn awaykula-kṣhaya — killing the kinderedkṛitam — donedoṣham — crimeprapaśhyadbhiḥ — who can seejanārdana — he who looks after the public, Shree Krishna

Commentary

Ignorance of law is no excuse but wanton sinful conduct is a grave crime, unworthy of us, who are wiser.

1.40 →

कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः। धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत॥

kula-kṣhaye praṇaśhyanti kula-dharmāḥ sanātanāḥ dharme naṣhṭe kulaṁ kṛitsnam adharmo ’bhibhavaty uta

MeaningIn the destruction of a family, the immemorial religious rites of that family perish; on the destruction of spirituality, impiety indeed, overwhelms the whole family.

kula-kṣhaye — in the destruction of a dynastypraṇaśhyanti — are vanquishedkula-dharmāḥ — family traditionssanātanāḥ — eternaldharme — religionnaṣhṭe — is destroyedkulam — familykṛitsnam — the wholeadharmaḥ — irreligionabhibhavati — overcomeuta — indeed

Commentary

Dharma -- the duties and ceremonies practised by the family in accordance with the injunctions of the scriptures.

1.41 →

अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः। स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः॥

adharmābhibhavāt kṛiṣhṇa praduṣhyanti kula-striyaḥ strīṣhu duṣhṭāsu vārṣhṇeya jāyate varṇa-saṅkaraḥ

MeaningO Krishna, by the prevalence of impiety, the women of the family become corrupt; and, when women are corrupted, O Varshenya (descendant of Vrishni), intermingling of castes arises.

adharma — irreligionabhibhavāt — preponderancekṛiṣhṇa — Shree Krishnapraduṣhyanti — become immoralkula-striyaḥ — women of the familystrīṣhu — of womenduṣhṭāsu — become immoralvārṣhṇeya — descendant of Vrishnijāyate — are bornvarṇa-saṅkaraḥ — unwanted progeny

Commentary

1.42 →

सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च। पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः॥

saṅkaro narakāyaiva kula-ghnānāṁ kulasya cha patanti pitaro hy eṣhāṁ lupta-piṇḍodaka-kriyāḥ

MeaningConfusion of castes leads to hell for the slayers of the family, for their forebears fall, deprived of the offerings of rice-balls and libations of water.

saṅkaraḥ — unwanted childrennarakāya — hellisheva — indeedkula-ghnānām — for those who destroy the familykulasya — of the familycha — alsopatanti — fallpitaraḥ — ancestorshi — verilyeṣhām — theirlupta — deprived ofpiṇḍodaka-kriyāḥ — performances of sacrificial offerings

Commentary

1.43 →

दोषैरेतैः कुलघ्नानां वर्णसङ्करकारकैः। उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्माः कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वताः॥

doṣhair etaiḥ kula-ghnānāṁ varṇa-saṅkara-kārakaiḥ utsādyante jāti-dharmāḥ kula-dharmāśh cha śhāśhvatāḥ

MeaningBy these evil deeds of the destroyers of the family, which cause confusion of castes, the eternal religious rites of the caste and the family are destroyed.

doṣhaiḥ — through evil deedsetaiḥ — thesekula-ghnānām — of those who destroy the familyvarṇa-saṅkara — unwanted progenykārakaiḥ — causingutsādyante — are ruinedjāti-dharmāḥ — social and family welfare activitieskula-dharmāḥ — family traditionscha — andśhāśhvatāḥ — eternal

Commentary

1.44 →

उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन। नरकेऽनियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम॥

utsanna-kula-dharmāṇāṁ manuṣhyāṇāṁ janārdana narake ‘niyataṁ vāso bhavatītyanuśhuśhruma

MeaningWe have heard, O Janardana, that those men in whose families the religious practices have been destroyed are inevitably destined to dwell in hell for an unknown period.

utsanna — destroyedkula-dharmāṇām — whose family traditionsmanuṣhyāṇām — of such human beingsjanārdana — he who looks after the public, Shree Krishnanarake — in hellaniyatam — indefinitevāsaḥ — dwellbhavati — isiti — thusanuśhuśhruma — I have heard from the learned

Commentary

1.45 →

अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम्। यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः॥

aho bata mahat pāpaṁ kartuṁ vyavasitā vayam yad rājya-sukha-lobhena hantuṁ sva-janam udyatāḥ

MeaningAlas! We are involved in a great sin, for we are prepared to kill our kinsmen, out of greed for the pleasures of a kingdom.

aho — alasbata — howmahat — greatpāpam — sinskartum — to performvyavasitāḥ — have decidedvayam — weyat — becauserājya-sukha-lobhena — driven by the desire for kingly pleasurehantum — to killsva-janam — kinsmenudyatāḥ — intending

Commentary

1.46 →

यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः। धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत्॥

yadi mām apratīkāram aśhastraṁ śhastra-pāṇayaḥ dhārtarāṣhṭrā raṇe hanyus tan me kṣhemataraṁ bhavet

MeaningIf the sons of Dhritarashtra, with weapons in hand, should slay me in battle, unresisting and unarmed, that would be better for me.

yadi — ifmām — meapratīkāram — unresistingaśhastram — unarmedśhastra-pāṇayaḥ — those with weapons in handdhārtarāṣhṭrāḥ — the sons of Dhritarashtraraṇe — on the battlefieldhanyuḥ — shall killtat — thatme — to mekṣhema-taram — betterbhavet — would be

Commentary

1.47 →

सञ्जय उवाच एवमुक्त्वाऽर्जुनः संख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्। विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः॥

sañjaya uvācha evam uktvārjunaḥ saṅkhye rathopastha upāviśhat visṛijya sa-śharaṁ chāpaṁ śhoka-saṁvigna-mānasaḥ

MeaningSanjaya said, Having thus spoken in the midst of the battlefield, Arjuna cast away his bow and arrow and, his mind overwhelmed with sorrow, sat down on the seat of the chariot.

sañjayaḥ uvācha — Sanjay saidevam uktvā — speaking thusarjunaḥ — Arjunsaṅkhye — in the battlefieldratha upasthe — on the chariotupāviśhat — satvisṛijya — casting asidesa-śharam — along with arrowschāpam — the bowśhoka — with griefsaṁvigna — distressedmānasaḥ — mind