Introduction
The Bhagavad Gita opens not with teaching but with a crisis. On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, the armies of the Kauravas and the Pandavas stand ready for war. The blind king Dhritarashtra asks his charioteer Sanjaya, who has been granted the gift of seeing distant events, to describe what is happening.
Three voices are heard in this chapter: Dhritarashtra, who asks a single question; Sanjaya, who narrates; and Arjuna, whose grief fills the second half. Duryodhana's words (verses 3–11) and Krishna's one brief sentence (verse 25) are reported within Sanjaya's narration.
How the chapter unfolds
- The king's question (1.1)
Dhritarashtra asks what his sons and the sons of Pandu did at Kurukshetra.
- Duryodhana surveys the armies (1.2–1.11)
Duryodhana approaches Drona, names the great warriors on both sides and orders that Bhishma be protected.
- The sounding of the conches (1.12–1.19)
Bhishma blows his conch; Krishna, Arjuna and the Pandava heroes answer with theirs, and the sound shakes the Kaurava ranks.
- The chariot between the armies (1.20–1.27)
Arjuna asks Krishna to place his chariot between the two armies, and there he sees teachers, elders, relatives and friends on both sides.
- Arjuna's despair (1.28–1.46)
Overcome by compassion and grief, Arjuna describes his trembling body, questions the value of victory and argues against the war.
- Arjuna lays down his bow (1.47)
Arjuna sets aside his bow and arrows and sits down in the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with sorrow.
Sanskrit text follows the widely used Gita Press / IIT Kanpur Gita Supersite recension. The Hindi and English meanings and explanations are explanatory renderings prepared for this site, not the only authoritative interpretation.
The verses
Verse 1.1 Dhritarashtra
धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः। मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ॥
dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ | māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāścaiva kimakurvata sañjaya ||
- Hindi meaning
- धृतराष्ट्र ने कहा — हे संजय! धर्मभूमि कुरुक्षेत्र में युद्ध की इच्छा से एकत्र हुए मेरे पुत्रों और पाण्डु के पुत्रों ने क्या किया?
- English meaning
- Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, gathered on the field of dharma, Kurukshetra, eager to fight, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do?
- Explanation
- The blind king asks his charioteer Sanjaya, who has been granted divine sight, to describe the battle. His words "my sons" and "the sons of Pandu" already reveal a divided heart.
Verse 1.2 Sanjaya
दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा। आचार्यमुपसङ्गम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥
dṛṣṭvā tu pāṇḍavānīkaṃ vyūḍhaṃ duryodhanastadā | ācāryamupasaṅgamya rājā vacanamabravīt ||
- Hindi meaning
- संजय ने कहा — उस समय पाण्डवों की सेना को व्यूह-रचना में खड़ा देखकर राजा दुर्योधन आचार्य द्रोण के पास गया और यह वचन बोला।
- English meaning
- Sanjaya said: Seeing the army of the Pandavas arrayed for battle, King Duryodhana approached his teacher Drona and spoke these words.
- Explanation
- Sanjaya begins his account. Duryodhana's first act is to go to his teacher, a sign of unease beneath his outward confidence.
Verse 1.3 Sanjaya
पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम्। व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता ॥
paśyaitāṃ pāṇḍuputrāṇāmācārya mahatīṃ camūm | vyūḍhāṃ drupadaputreṇa tava śiṣyeṇa dhīmatā ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे आचार्य! अपने बुद्धिमान शिष्य द्रुपदपुत्र (धृष्टद्युम्न) द्वारा व्यूह में खड़ी की गई पाण्डुपुत्रों की इस विशाल सेना को देखिए।
- English meaning
- Behold, O teacher, this mighty army of the sons of Pandu, arrayed by your intelligent disciple, the son of Drupada.
- Explanation
- Duryodhana subtly reminds Drona that the opposing commander, Dhrishtadyumna, was trained by Drona himself.
Verse 1.4 Sanjaya
अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि। युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः ॥
atra śūrā maheṣvāsā bhīmārjunasamā yudhi | yuyudhāno virāṭaśca drupadaśca mahārathaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- इस सेना में भीम और अर्जुन के समान युद्ध करने वाले बड़े-बड़े धनुर्धर शूरवीर हैं — युयुधान (सात्यकि), विराट और महारथी द्रुपद।
- English meaning
- Here are heroes and mighty archers equal in battle to Bhima and Arjuna: Yuyudhana, Virata and the great chariot-warrior Drupada.
- Explanation
- Duryodhana begins listing the leading warriors on the Pandava side, measuring them against Bhima and Arjuna.
Verse 1.5 Sanjaya
धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान्। पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गवः ॥
dhṛṣṭaketuścekitānaḥ kāśirājaśca vīryavān | purujitkuntibhojaśca śaibyaśca narapuṅgavaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- धृष्टकेतु, चेकितान, बलवान काशिराज, पुरुजित्, कुन्तिभोज और मनुष्यों में श्रेष्ठ शैब्य।
- English meaning
- Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, the valiant king of Kashi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja and Shaibya, the best among men.
- Explanation
- The list continues with allied kings, emphasising the strength gathered behind the Pandavas.
Verse 1.6 Sanjaya
युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान्। सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथाः ॥
yudhāmanyuśca vikrānta uttamaujāśca vīryavān | saubhadro draupadeyāśca sarva eva mahārathāḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- पराक्रमी युधामन्यु, बलवान उत्तमौजा, सुभद्रापुत्र (अभिमन्यु) और द्रौपदी के पुत्र — ये सभी महारथी हैं।
- English meaning
- The courageous Yudhamanyu, the valiant Uttamaujas, the son of Subhadra and the sons of Draupadi, all of them great chariot-warriors.
- Explanation
- Abhimanyu and the sons of Draupadi complete the list of notable Pandava warriors.
Verse 1.7 Sanjaya
अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम। नायका मम सैन्यस्य संज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते ॥
asmākaṃ tu viśiṣṭā ye tānnibodha dvijottama | nāyakā mama sainyasya saṃjñārthaṃ tānbravīmi te ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे द्विजश्रेष्ठ! हमारे पक्ष में भी जो प्रमुख हैं, उन्हें जान लीजिए। आपकी जानकारी के लिए मैं अपनी सेना के नायकों के नाम बताता हूँ।
- English meaning
- But know also, O best of the twice-born, the distinguished leaders of our own army; I name them for your information.
- Explanation
- Duryodhana turns to his own side, partly to reassure himself.
Verse 1.8 Sanjaya
भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः। अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ॥
bhavānbhīṣmaśca karṇaśca kṛpaśca samitiñjayaḥ | aśvatthāmā vikarṇaśca saumadattistathaiva ca ||
- Hindi meaning
- आप स्वयं, भीष्म, कर्ण, युद्ध-विजयी कृपाचार्य, अश्वत्थामा, विकर्ण और सोमदत्त के पुत्र (भूरिश्रवा)।
- English meaning
- Yourself, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa who is victorious in battle, Ashvatthama, Vikarna and the son of Somadatta.
- Explanation
- He names the great warriors of the Kaurava army, beginning with Drona himself.
Verse 1.9 Sanjaya
अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः। नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥
anye ca bahavaḥ śūrā madarthe tyaktajīvitāḥ | nānāśastrapraharaṇāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- और भी बहुत से शूरवीर मेरे लिए अपने प्राण त्यागने को तैयार हैं; वे अनेक प्रकार के शस्त्रों से सुसज्जित और युद्ध में निपुण हैं।
- English meaning
- And many other heroes, ready to give their lives for my sake, armed with many kinds of weapons and all skilled in war.
- Explanation
- The phrase "for my sake" shows how Duryodhana sees the war as centred on himself.
Verse 1.10 Sanjaya
अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम्। पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् ॥
aparyāptaṃ tadasmākaṃ balaṃ bhīṣmābhirakṣitam | paryāptaṃ tvidameteṣāṃ balaṃ bhīmābhirakṣitam ||
- Hindi meaning
- भीष्म द्वारा रक्षित हमारी वह सेना अपर्याप्त (अपरिमित) है, जबकि भीम द्वारा रक्षित इनकी यह सेना पर्याप्त (सीमित) है।
- English meaning
- Our army, protected by Bhishma, is aparyaptam; their army, protected by Bhima, is paryaptam.
- Explanation
- Commentators read this verse in two ways: either the Kaurava army is "immeasurable" and the Pandava army "limited", or the Kaurava army is "insufficient" and the Pandava army "sufficient". The ambiguity mirrors Duryodhana's mixed confidence and fear.
Verse 1.11 Sanjaya
अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः। भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ॥
ayaneṣu ca sarveṣu yathābhāgamavasthitāḥ | bhīṣmamevābhirakṣantu bhavantaḥ sarva eva hi ||
- Hindi meaning
- इसलिए आप सब लोग सभी मोर्चों पर अपने-अपने स्थान पर स्थित रहते हुए सब प्रकार से भीष्म पितामह की ही रक्षा करें।
- English meaning
- Therefore, stationed in your respective positions at every entrance of the formation, all of you must protect Bhishma above all.
- Explanation
- Duryodhana's speech ends with an order to guard Bhishma, the commander on whom his hopes rest.
Verse 1.12 Sanjaya
तस्य संजनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः। सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान् ॥
tasya saṃjanayanharṣaṃ kuruvṛddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ | siṃhanādaṃ vinadyoccaiḥ śaṅkhaṃ dadhmau pratāpavān ||
- Hindi meaning
- तब दुर्योधन के हृदय में हर्ष उत्पन्न करते हुए कुरुवंश के वृद्ध, प्रतापी पितामह भीष्म ने सिंह के समान ऊँचे स्वर में गर्जना करके शंख बजाया।
- English meaning
- Then, to cheer Duryodhana, the valiant grandsire Bhishma, eldest of the Kurus, roared loudly like a lion and blew his conch.
- Explanation
- Bhishma responds not with words but with his conch, encouraging Duryodhana and opening the battle's sounds.
Verse 1.13 Sanjaya
ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः। सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ॥
tataḥ śaṅkhāśca bheryaśca paṇavānakagomukhāḥ | sahasaivābhyahanyanta sa śabdastumulo'bhavat ||
- Hindi meaning
- इसके बाद शंख, नगाड़े, ढोल, मृदंग और नरसिंघे आदि बाजे एक साथ बज उठे; उनका शब्द बड़ा भयंकर हुआ।
- English meaning
- Then conches, kettledrums, tabors, drums and horns suddenly blared forth, and the sound was tumultuous.
- Explanation
- The Kaurava side fills the field with noise; Sanjaya describes the scene as overwhelming.
Verse 1.14 Sanjaya
ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ। माधवः पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदध्मतुः ॥
tataḥ śvetairhayairyukte mahati syandane sthitau | mādhavaḥ pāṇḍavaścaiva divyau śaṅkhau pradadhmatuḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- इसके बाद सफेद घोड़ों से युक्त विशाल रथ पर बैठे हुए श्रीकृष्ण (माधव) और अर्जुन (पाण्डव) ने भी अपने दिव्य शंख बजाए।
- English meaning
- Then Madhava (Krishna) and the son of Pandu (Arjuna), seated in their great chariot yoked with white horses, blew their divine conches.
- Explanation
- Krishna and Arjuna now appear together in one chariot, the image at the heart of the Gita.
Verse 1.15 Sanjaya
पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनंजयः। पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः ॥
pāñcajanyaṃ hṛṣīkeśo devadattaṃ dhanaṃjayaḥ | pauṇḍraṃ dadhmau mahāśaṅkhaṃ bhīmakarmā vṛkodaraḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- हृषीकेश (श्रीकृष्ण) ने पाञ्चजन्य, धनंजय (अर्जुन) ने देवदत्त और भयानक कर्म करने वाले वृकोदर (भीम) ने पौण्ड्र नामक महाशंख बजाया।
- English meaning
- Hrishikesha blew the Panchajanya, Dhananjaya the Devadatta, and Vrikodara of fearsome deeds blew the great conch Paundra.
- Explanation
- Each Pandava hero's conch is named. Hrishikesha, "lord of the senses", is one of many names of Krishna used in the Gita.
Verse 1.16 Sanjaya
अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ ॥
anantavijayaṃ rājā kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | nakulaḥ sahadevaśca sughoṣamaṇipuṣpakau ||
- Hindi meaning
- कुन्तीपुत्र राजा युधिष्ठिर ने अनन्तविजय, नकुल ने सुघोष और सहदेव ने मणिपुष्पक नामक शंख बजाया।
- English meaning
- King Yudhishthira, son of Kunti, blew the Anantavijaya; Nakula and Sahadeva blew the Sughosha and the Manipushpaka.
- Explanation
- The remaining Pandava brothers sound their conches.
Verse 1.17 Sanjaya
काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः। धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः ॥
kāśyaśca parameṣvāsaḥ śikhaṇḍī ca mahārathaḥ | dhṛṣṭadyumno virāṭaśca sātyakiścāparājitaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- श्रेष्ठ धनुर्धर काशिराज, महारथी शिखण्डी, धृष्टद्युम्न, राजा विराट और अजेय सात्यकि,
- English meaning
- The king of Kashi, a superb archer, Shikhandi the great chariot-warrior, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata and the unconquered Satyaki,
- Explanation
- This verse continues into the next: the allied warriors also join the sounding of conches.
Verse 1.18 Sanjaya
द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते। सौभद्रश्च महाबाहुः शङ्खान्दध्मुः पृथक्पृथक् ॥
drupado draupadeyāśca sarvaśaḥ pṛthivīpate | saubhadraśca mahābāhuḥ śaṅkhāndadhmuḥ pṛthakpṛthak ||
- Hindi meaning
- राजा द्रुपद, द्रौपदी के पाँचों पुत्र और महाबाहु सुभद्रापुत्र अभिमन्यु — हे राजन्! इन सबने अलग-अलग अपने-अपने शंख बजाए।
- English meaning
- Drupada, the sons of Draupadi and the mighty-armed son of Subhadra, O lord of the earth, all blew their respective conches.
- Explanation
- Sanjaya addresses Dhritarashtra directly, reminding the listener that this is a report to the king.
Verse 1.19 Sanjaya
स घोषो धार्तराष्ट्राणां हृदयानि व्यदारयत्। नभश्च पृथिवीं चैव तुमुलो व्यनुनादयन् ॥
sa ghoṣo dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ hṛdayāni vyadārayat | nabhaśca pṛthivīṃ caiva tumulo vyanunādayan ||
- Hindi meaning
- उस भयंकर घोष ने आकाश और पृथ्वी को गुँजाते हुए धृतराष्ट्र के पुत्रों के हृदय विदीर्ण कर दिए।
- English meaning
- That tumultuous sound, resounding through sky and earth, tore the hearts of the sons of Dhritarashtra.
- Explanation
- Sanjaya notes that the Pandava conches struck fear into the Kaurava side, quietly answering the king's anxious question.
Verse 1.20 Sanjaya
अथ व्यवस्थितान् दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान्कपिध्वजः। प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसंपाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः ॥
atha vyavasthitān dṛṣṭvā dhārtarāṣṭrānkapidhvajaḥ | pravṛtte śastrasaṃpāte dhanurudyamya pāṇḍavaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे राजन्! तब शस्त्र चलने की तैयारी के समय धृतराष्ट्र के पुत्रों को व्यवस्थित खड़ा देखकर कपिध्वज (जिसकी ध्वजा पर हनुमान हैं) अर्जुन ने धनुष उठाया,
- English meaning
- Then, seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra arrayed, as the clash of weapons was about to begin, the son of Pandu, whose banner bore Hanuman, raised his bow,
- Explanation
- Arjuna, "the one with the monkey banner", lifts his bow, ready to fight. The moment of action is suspended.
Verse 1.21 Sanjaya, then Arjuna
हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत ॥
hṛṣīkeśaṃ tadā vākyamidamāha mahīpate | senayorubhayormadhye rathaṃ sthāpaya me'cyuta ||
- Hindi meaning
- और हे राजन्! हृषीकेश से यह वचन कहा। अर्जुन बोले — हे अच्युत! मेरे रथ को दोनों सेनाओं के बीच खड़ा कीजिए,
- English meaning
- and spoke these words to Hrishikesha, O king. Arjuna said: O Achyuta, place my chariot between the two armies,
- Explanation
- Sanjaya's narration passes into Arjuna's own words. Arjuna asks his charioteer Krishna to drive into the space between the armies.
Verse 1.22 Arjuna
यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान्। कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन्रणसमुद्यमे ॥
yāvadetānnirīkṣe'haṃ yoddhukāmānavasthitān | kairmayā saha yoddhavyamasminraṇasamudyame ||
- Hindi meaning
- जब तक मैं युद्ध की इच्छा से खड़े इन लोगों को देख न लूँ कि इस युद्ध-उद्यम में मुझे किन-किन के साथ लड़ना है।
- English meaning
- so that I may observe those who stand here eager for battle, and see with whom I must fight in this undertaking of war.
- Explanation
- Arjuna's intention is still that of a warrior surveying his opponents.
Verse 1.23 Arjuna
योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः। धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः ॥
yotsyamānānavekṣe'haṃ ya ete'tra samāgatāḥ | dhārtarāṣṭrasya durbuddheryuddhe priyacikīrṣavaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- दुर्बुद्धि दुर्योधन का युद्ध में प्रिय करने की इच्छा से जो-जो राजा यहाँ आए हैं, उन युद्ध करने वालों को मैं देखूँगा।
- English meaning
- I wish to see those who have gathered here to fight, wishing to please in battle the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra.
- Explanation
- Arjuna still speaks firmly, describing Duryodhana as misguided.
Verse 1.24 Sanjaya
एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम् ॥
evamukto hṛṣīkeśo guḍākeśena bhārata | senayorubhayormadhye sthāpayitvā rathottamam ||
- Hindi meaning
- संजय बोले — हे भारत (धृतराष्ट्र)! गुडाकेश (अर्जुन) के ऐसा कहने पर हृषीकेश ने दोनों सेनाओं के बीच उत्तम रथ को खड़ा करके,
- English meaning
- Sanjaya said: O Bharata, thus addressed by Gudakesha, Hrishikesha stationed the finest of chariots between the two armies,
- Explanation
- Gudakesha, "conqueror of sleep", is a name of Arjuna. Krishna does exactly as he is asked.
Verse 1.25 Sanjaya
भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम्। उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति ॥
bhīṣmadroṇapramukhataḥ sarveṣāṃ ca mahīkṣitām | uvāca pārtha paśyaitānsamavetānkurūniti ||
- Hindi meaning
- भीष्म, द्रोण और सभी राजाओं के सामने कहा — हे पार्थ! यहाँ एकत्र हुए इन कुरुवंशियों को देखो।
- English meaning
- in front of Bhishma, Drona and all the rulers of the earth, and said: O Partha, behold these Kurus gathered together.
- Explanation
- Krishna places the chariot facing Arjuna's grandsire and teacher. His only words in this chapter, "behold these Kurus", turn Arjuna's gaze towards his own family.
Verse 1.26 Sanjaya
तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान्। आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा ॥
tatrāpaśyatsthitānpārthaḥ pitṝnatha pitāmahān | ācāryānmātulānbhrātṝnputrānpautrānsakhīṃstathā ||
- Hindi meaning
- वहाँ अर्जुन ने दोनों सेनाओं में खड़े पिताओं के समान चाचाओं-ताऊओं, पितामहों, आचार्यों, मामाओं, भाइयों, पुत्रों, पौत्रों और मित्रों को देखा,
- English meaning
- There Partha saw, standing in both armies, fathers and grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons and friends,
- Explanation
- Arjuna no longer sees opponents; he sees relationships.
Verse 1.27 Sanjaya
श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि। तान्समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेयः सर्वान्बन्धूनवस्थितान् ॥
śvaśurānsuhṛdaścaiva senayorubhayorapi | tānsamīkṣya sa kaunteyaḥ sarvānbandhūnavasthitān ||
- Hindi meaning
- तथा ससुरों और सुहृदों को भी देखा। उन सब बन्धुओं को खड़ा देखकर वह कुन्तीपुत्र अर्जुन,
- English meaning
- fathers-in-law and well-wishers as well. Seeing all these kinsmen arrayed, the son of Kunti,
- Explanation
- The verse flows into the next, leading to Arjuna's emotional change.
Verse 1.28 Sanjaya, then Arjuna
कृपया परयाऽऽविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत्। दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम् ॥
kṛpayā parayā''viṣṭo viṣīdannidamabravīt | dṛṣṭvemaṃ svajanaṃ kṛṣṇa yuyutsuṃ samupasthitam ||
- Hindi meaning
- अत्यन्त करुणा से युक्त होकर शोक करता हुआ यह बोला। अर्जुन बोले — हे कृष्ण! युद्ध की इच्छा से खड़े इस स्वजन-समुदाय को देखकर,
- English meaning
- overcome with deep compassion and sorrow, spoke thus. Arjuna said: O Krishna, seeing these my own people gathered and eager to fight,
- Explanation
- Sanjaya's narration again passes into Arjuna's speech. The word "vishada" (despair), which names the chapter, begins here.
Verse 1.29 Arjuna
सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति। वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते ॥
sīdanti mama gātrāṇi mukhaṃ ca pariśuṣyati | vepathuśca śarīre me romaharṣaśca jāyate ||
- Hindi meaning
- मेरे अंग शिथिल हो रहे हैं, मुख सूख रहा है, शरीर में कम्पन हो रहा है और रोंगटे खड़े हो रहे हैं।
- English meaning
- my limbs fail me and my mouth is parched; my body trembles and my hair stands on end.
- Explanation
- Arjuna describes physical symptoms of grief and shock.
Verse 1.30 Arjuna
गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते। न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः ॥
gāṇḍīvaṃ sraṃsate hastāttvakcaiva paridahyate | na ca śaknomyavasthātuṃ bhramatīva ca me manaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- हाथ से गाण्डीव धनुष गिर रहा है, त्वचा जल रही है, मैं खड़ा रहने में भी असमर्थ हूँ और मेरा मन भ्रमित-सा हो रहा है।
- English meaning
- The Gandiva slips from my hand and my skin burns; I cannot stand steady, and my mind seems to whirl.
- Explanation
- The great archer can no longer hold his famous bow, Gandiva.
Verse 1.31 Arjuna
निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव। न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे ॥
nimittāni ca paśyāmi viparītāni keśava | na ca śreyo'nupaśyāmi hatvā svajanamāhave ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे केशव! मैं लक्षणों को भी विपरीत ही देख रहा हूँ, और युद्ध में स्वजनों को मारकर कोई कल्याण भी नहीं देखता।
- English meaning
- I see adverse omens, O Keshava, and I foresee no good in killing my own people in battle.
- Explanation
- Arjuna's distress moves from his body to his judgement about the war.
Verse 1.32 Arjuna
न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च। किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा ॥
na kāṅkṣe vijayaṃ kṛṣṇa na ca rājyaṃ sukhāni ca | kiṃ no rājyena govinda kiṃ bhogairjīvitena vā ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे कृष्ण! मैं न विजय चाहता हूँ, न राज्य और न सुख। हे गोविन्द! हमें राज्य से, भोगों से या जीवन से भी क्या प्रयोजन है?
- English meaning
- I do not desire victory, O Krishna, nor kingdom nor pleasures. Of what use to us is a kingdom, O Govinda, or enjoyments, or even life?
- Explanation
- Arjuna questions the purpose of the war itself.
Verse 1.33 Arjuna
येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च। त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ॥
yeṣāmarthe kāṅkṣitaṃ no rājyaṃ bhogāḥ sukhāni ca | ta ime'vasthitā yuddhe prāṇāṃstyaktvā dhanāni ca ||
- Hindi meaning
- जिनके लिए हम राज्य, भोग और सुख चाहते हैं, वे ही ये लोग प्राण और धन की आशा छोड़कर युद्ध में खड़े हैं।
- English meaning
- Those for whose sake we desire kingdom, enjoyments and pleasures stand here in battle, having staked their lives and wealth.
- Explanation
- The very people who give meaning to victory are the ones who would die in it.
Verse 1.34 Arjuna
आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः। मातुलाः श्वशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः सम्बन्धिनस्तथा ॥
ācāryāḥ pitaraḥ putrāstathaiva ca pitāmahāḥ | mātulāḥ śvaśurāḥ pautrāḥ śyālāḥ sambandhinastathā ||
- Hindi meaning
- आचार्य, पिता (चाचा-ताऊ), पुत्र, पितामह, मामा, ससुर, पौत्र, साले तथा अन्य सम्बन्धी।
- English meaning
- Teachers, fathers, sons and grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law and other kinsmen.
- Explanation
- Arjuna repeats the list of relations, dwelling on each bond.
Verse 1.35 Arjuna
एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन। अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते ॥
etānna hantumicchāmi ghnato'pi madhusūdana | api trailokyarājyasya hetoḥ kiṃ nu mahīkṛte ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे मधुसूदन! ये मुझे मारें तो भी मैं इन्हें मारना नहीं चाहता — तीनों लोकों के राज्य के लिए भी नहीं, फिर पृथ्वी के लिए तो कहना ही क्या?
- English meaning
- These I do not wish to kill, O Madhusudana, even though they kill me, not even for the sovereignty of the three worlds, let alone for the earth.
- Explanation
- Arjuna declares he would rather die than fight his kin.
Verse 1.36 Arjuna
निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन। पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः ॥
nihatya dhārtarāṣṭrānnaḥ kā prītiḥ syājjanārdana | pāpamevāśrayedasmānhatvaitānātatāyinaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे जनार्दन! धृतराष्ट्र के पुत्रों को मारकर हमें क्या प्रसन्नता होगी? इन आततायियों को मारकर भी हमें पाप ही लगेगा।
- English meaning
- What joy could we have, O Janardana, by killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? Sin alone would attach to us by slaying these aggressors.
- Explanation
- Arjuna admits they are aggressors (atatayinah), yet feels that killing them would still bring sin.
Verse 1.37 Arjuna
तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्स्वबान्धवान्। स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव ॥
tasmānnārhā vayaṃ hantuṃ dhārtarāṣṭrānsvabāndhavān | svajanaṃ hi kathaṃ hatvā sukhinaḥ syāma mādhava ||
- Hindi meaning
- इसलिए हे माधव! अपने ही बान्धव धृतराष्ट्र-पुत्रों को मारना हमारे लिए उचित नहीं है; अपने ही कुटुम्ब को मारकर हम कैसे सुखी होंगे?
- English meaning
- Therefore we should not kill the sons of Dhritarashtra, our own kinsmen. How could we be happy, O Madhava, after killing our own people?
- Explanation
- Arjuna reaches a conclusion based on attachment and grief.
Verse 1.38 Arjuna
यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम् ॥
yadyapyete na paśyanti lobhopahatacetasaḥ | kulakṣayakṛtaṃ doṣaṃ mitradrohe ca pātakam ||
- Hindi meaning
- यद्यपि लोभ से भ्रष्ट चित्त वाले ये लोग कुल के नाश से होने वाले दोष और मित्रों से द्रोह करने के पाप को नहीं देखते,
- English meaning
- Even if these, their minds overpowered by greed, see no wrong in destroying the family and no sin in betraying friends,
- Explanation
- Arjuna acknowledges the Kauravas' greed, but argues that this does not excuse his own side.
Verse 1.39 Arjuna
कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम्। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन ॥
kathaṃ na jñeyamasmābhiḥ pāpādasmānnivartitum | kulakṣayakṛtaṃ doṣaṃ prapaśyadbhirjanārdana ||
- Hindi meaning
- तो भी हे जनार्दन! कुल के नाश से होने वाले दोष को जानने वाले हम लोगों को इस पाप से बचने का विचार क्यों नहीं करना चाहिए?
- English meaning
- why should we, who clearly see the wrong in destroying a family, O Janardana, not turn away from this sin?
- Explanation
- He presents his refusal as a moral argument.
Verse 1.40 Arjuna
कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः। धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत ॥
kulakṣaye praṇaśyanti kuladharmāḥ sanātanāḥ | dharme naṣṭe kulaṃ kṛtsnamadharmo'bhibhavatyuta ||
- Hindi meaning
- कुल का नाश होने पर सनातन कुल-धर्म नष्ट हो जाते हैं, और धर्म के नष्ट होने पर सम्पूर्ण कुल में अधर्म फैल जाता है।
- English meaning
- With the destruction of a family, its timeless family traditions perish; when dharma is lost, adharma overwhelms the whole family.
- Explanation
- Arjuna argues from tradition: war destroys the families that preserve dharma.
Verse 1.41 Arjuna
अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः। स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः ॥
adharmābhibhavātkṛṣṇa praduṣyanti kulastriyaḥ | strīṣu duṣṭāsu vārṣṇeya jāyate varṇasaṅkaraḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे कृष्ण! अधर्म के बढ़ने से कुल की स्त्रियाँ दूषित हो जाती हैं, और हे वार्ष्णेय! स्त्रियों के दूषित होने पर वर्णसंकर उत्पन्न होता है।
- English meaning
- When adharma prevails, O Krishna, the women of the family become corrupted; and when women are corrupted, O Varshneya, confusion of social order arises.
- Explanation
- Arjuna voices the social fears of his age about the breakdown of family and social order.
Verse 1.42 Arjuna
सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च। पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः ॥
saṅkaro narakāyaiva kulaghnānāṃ kulasya ca | patanti pitaro hyeṣāṃ luptapiṇḍodakakriyāḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- वर्णसंकर कुलघातियों और कुल को नरक में ले जाने वाला होता है; पिण्ड और जल की क्रिया (श्राद्ध-तर्पण) लुप्त होने से इनके पितर भी गिर जाते हैं।
- English meaning
- Such confusion leads the family and its destroyers to hell; their ancestors fall, deprived of the offerings of rice-balls and water.
- Explanation
- Arjuna refers to the ancestral rites (shraddha and tarpana) which he fears would cease.
Verse 1.43 Arjuna
दोषैरेतैः कुलघ्नानां वर्णसङ्करकारकैः। उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्माः कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वताः ॥
doṣairetaiḥ kulaghnānāṃ varṇasaṅkarakārakaiḥ | utsādyante jātidharmāḥ kuladharmāśca śāśvatāḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- इन वर्णसंकर उत्पन्न करने वाले दोषों से कुलघातियों के सनातन कुल-धर्म और जाति-धर्म नष्ट हो जाते हैं।
- English meaning
- Through these wrongs of the destroyers of families, which cause confusion of social order, the enduring duties of community and family are destroyed.
- Explanation
- He continues his chain of consequences.
Verse 1.44 Arjuna
उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन। नरकेऽनियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम ॥
utsannakuladharmāṇāṃ manuṣyāṇāṃ janārdana | narake'niyataṃ vāso bhavatītyanuśuśruma ||
- Hindi meaning
- हे जनार्दन! जिनके कुल-धर्म नष्ट हो गए हैं, ऐसे मनुष्यों का अनिश्चित काल तक नरक में वास होता है — ऐसा हम सुनते आए हैं।
- English meaning
- O Janardana, we have heard that those whose family duties are destroyed dwell in hell for an indefinite time.
- Explanation
- Arjuna appeals to what he has heard from tradition.
Verse 1.45 Arjuna
अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम्। यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः ॥
aho bata mahatpāpaṃ kartuṃ vyavasitā vayam | yadrājyasukhalobhena hantuṃ svajanamudyatāḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- अहो! बड़े खेद की बात है कि हम लोग बड़ा पाप करने को तैयार हो गए हैं, जो राज्य और सुख के लोभ से अपने ही स्वजनों को मारने के लिए उद्यत हैं।
- English meaning
- Alas, what a great sin we are resolved to commit, ready to kill our own people out of greed for kingdom and pleasure!
- Explanation
- Arjuna's argument turns into self-reproach.
Verse 1.46 Arjuna
यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः। धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ॥
yadi māmapratīkāramaśastraṃ śastrapāṇayaḥ | dhārtarāṣṭrā raṇe hanyustanme kṣemataraṃ bhavet ||
- Hindi meaning
- यदि शस्त्रधारी धृतराष्ट्र-पुत्र मुझ शस्त्ररहित और प्रतिकार न करने वाले को युद्ध में मार दें, तो वह भी मेरे लिए अधिक कल्याणकारी होगा।
- English meaning
- If the sons of Dhritarashtra, weapons in hand, were to kill me in battle, unarmed and unresisting, that would be better for me.
- Explanation
- Arjuna's despair reaches its lowest point: he would rather die than act.
Verse 1.47 Sanjaya
एवमुक्त्वाऽर्जुनः संख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्। विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः ॥
evamuktvā'rjunaḥ saṃkhye rathopastha upāviśat | visṛjya saśaraṃ cāpaṃ śokasaṃvignamānasaḥ ||
- Hindi meaning
- संजय बोले — रणभूमि में शोक से उद्विग्न मन वाला अर्जुन इस प्रकार कहकर, बाणसहित धनुष को त्यागकर रथ के पिछले भाग में बैठ गया।
- English meaning
- Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus on the battlefield, Arjuna cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down in the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with sorrow.
- Explanation
- The chapter ends in silence. Arjuna's collapse prepares for Krishna's teaching, which begins in Chapter 2.
Concluding summary
Chapter 1 sets the scene for the whole Gita. A capable warrior, at the decisive moment, is overwhelmed by the conflict between duty and affection. His arguments are sincere and draw on family and tradition, yet they arise from grief and confusion rather than clarity.
Krishna does not yet teach. The chapter ends in silence, preparing for the dialogue that begins in Chapter 2.
Reflections for daily life
- Inner conflict is a natural part of life; the Gita begins by acknowledging it honestly rather than hiding it.
- Strong emotion can make an argument feel convincing. Pausing to examine where a decision comes from is itself a spiritual practice.
- Arjuna turns to Krishna in his difficulty. Seeking wise counsel when confused is a sign of strength, not weakness.
- The battlefield of Kurukshetra is often read as a symbol of the inner field where every person faces choices between right and wrong.