Chapter 1
Arjuna Visada Yoga
अर्जुनविषादयोग
The Yoga of Arjuna’s Dejection · 47 verses
Summary · Path of Action
The Gita opens on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Paralyzed by grief at the sight of teachers, cousins and friends ranged against him, Arjuna lays down his bow — refusing to fight. His despair is not cowardice but a sincere moral crisis, and it sets the stage for Krishna's entire teaching.
moral crisisdespairrefusal to act
1 Arjuna Visada Yoga धृतराष्ट्र उवाच |
धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः |
मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ||१-१|| 1.1 Dhrtarastra said On the holy field of Kuruksetra, gathered together eager for battle, what did my people and the Pandavas do, O Sanjaya? ›2 Arjuna Visada Yoga सञ्जय उवाच |
दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा |
आचार्यमुपसंगम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत् ||१-२|| 1.2 Sanjaya said King Duryodhana, on seeing the Pandava army in battle array, approached his teacher Drona and said these words: ›3 Arjuna Visada Yoga पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम् |
व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता ||१-३|| 1.3 Behold, O teacher, this mighty army of the Pandavas, arrayed by the son of Drupada, your intelligent disciple. ›4 Arjuna Visada Yoga अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि |
युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः ||१-४|| 1.4 There (in that army) are heroes, great bowmen, like Bhima and Arjuna; Yuyudhana,Virata and Drupada a mighty warrior; ›5 Arjuna Visada Yoga धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान् |
पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुंगवः ||१-५|| 1.5 Dhrstaketu, Cekitana, and the valiant king of Kasi; Purujit and Kuntibhoja, and Saibya the best among men; ›6 Arjuna Visada Yoga युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान् |
सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथाः ||१-६|| 1.6 Yudhamanyu the valiant, and Uttamaujas the strong; and also the son of Subhadra and the sons of Draupadi, all mighty warriors. ›7 Arjuna Visada Yoga अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम |
नायका मम सैन्यस्य संज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते ||१-७|| 1.7 Know, O best of Brahmanas, those who are important on our side - those who are the commanders of my army. I shall name them to refresh your memory. ›8 Arjuna Visada Yoga भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः |
अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ||१-८|| 1.8 Yourself, Bhisma and Karna, the victorious Krpa, Asvatthama, Vikarna and Jayadratha the son of Somadatta; ›9 Arjuna Visada Yoga अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः |
नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ||१-९|| 1.9 And there are many other heroes who are determined to give up their lives for my sake. They all are experts in using manifold missiles and are dexterous in battle. ›10 Arjuna Visada Yoga अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम् |
पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् ||१-१०|| 1.10 Inadequate is this force of ours, which is guarded by Bhisma, while adequate is that force of theirs, which is guarded by Bhima. ›11 Arjuna Visada Yoga अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः |
भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ||१-११|| 1.11 Therefore all of you taking your places firmly in your respective divisions, guard Bhisma at all cost. ›12 Arjuna Visada Yoga तस्य सञ्जनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः |
सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान् ||१-१२|| 1.12 Then the valiant grandsire Bhisma, seniormost of the Kuru clan, roaring like a lion, blew his conch with a view to cheer up Duryodhana. ›13 Arjuna Visada Yoga ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः |
सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ||१-१३|| 1.13 Then suddenly conchs and kettle drums, trumpets, tabors and blow horns blared forth; and the sound was terrific. ›14 Arjuna Visada Yoga ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ |
माधवः पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदध्मतुः ||१-१४|| 1.14 Then Sri Krsna and Arjuna, stationed in their great chariot yoked with white horses, blew their divine conchs. ›15 Arjuna Visada Yoga पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनञ्जयः |
पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः ||१-१५|| 1.15 Sri Krsna blew his conch, Pancajanya, Arjuna his Devadatta and Bhima of terrible deeds his great conch Paundra. ›16 Arjuna Visada Yoga अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः |
नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ ||१-१६|| 1.16 King Yudhisthira the son of Kunti blew his conch Anantavijaya and Nakula and Sahadeva blew their conchs Sughosa and Manipuspaka. ›17 Arjuna Visada Yoga काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः |
धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः ||१-१७|| 1.17 And the King of Kasi the supreme bowman, Sikandi the mighty warrior, Dhrstadyumna and Virata; and Satyaki the invincible; ›18 Arjuna Visada Yoga द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते |
सौभद्रश्च महाबाहुः शङ्खान्दध्मुः पृथक्पृथक् ||१-१८|| 1.18 Drupada and the sons of Draupadi, and the strong-armed son of Subhadra - all, O King, blew their several conchs again and again. ›19 Arjuna Visada Yoga स घोषो धार्तराष्ट्राणां हृदयानि व्यदारयत् |
नभश्च पृथिवीं चैव तुमुलोऽभ्यनुनादयन् (or लोव्यनु) ||१-१९|| 1.19 And that tumultuous uproar, resounding through heaven and earth, rent the hearts of Dhrtarastra's sons. ›20 Arjuna Visada Yoga अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान् कपिध्वजः |
प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः |
हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते ||१-२०|| 1.20 Then Arjuna, who had Hanuman as his banner crest, on beholding the sons of Dhrtarastra in array, took up his bow, while missiles were beginning to fly. ›21 Arjuna Visada Yoga अर्जुन उवाच |
सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत ||१-२१|| 1.21 And he spoke, O lord of earth, these words to Sri Krsna... Arjuna said: ...Draw up my chariot, O Krsna, between the two armies, ›22 Arjuna Visada Yoga यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान् |
कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन् रणसमुद्यमे ||१-२२|| 1.22 So that I may have a good look at those who are standing eager to fight and know with whom I have to fight in this enterprise of war. ›23 Arjuna Visada Yoga योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः |
धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः ||१-२३|| 1.23 I wish to see those gathered here ready to fight in this battle in order to please the evil-minded son of Dhrtarastra. ›24 Arjuna Visada Yoga सञ्जय उवाच |
एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत |
सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम् ||१-२४|| 1.24 - 1.25 Sanjaya said: Thus addressed by Arjuna, Sri Krsna drew up that best of chariots between the two armies before the view of Bhisma and Drona and all the other kings, O Dhrtarastra, and said, 'O Arjuna, behold these assembled Kauravas.' ›25 Arjuna Visada Yoga भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम् |
उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति ||१-२५|| 1.24 - 1.25 Sanjaya said: Thus addressed by Arjuna, Sri Krsna drew up that best of chariots between the two armies before the view of Bhisma and Drona and all the other kings, O Dhrtarastra, and said, 'O Arjuna, behold these assembled Kauravas.' ›26 Arjuna Visada Yoga तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान् |
आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा ||१-२६|| 1.26 Then as Arjuna looked on, he saw standing there fathers and grand-fathers, teachers, uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons and comrades; ›27 Arjuna Visada Yoga श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि |
तान्समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेयः सर्वान्बन्धूनवस्थितान् ||१-२७|| 1.27 Fathers-in-law and dear friends in both armies. When Arjuna saw all these kinsmen in array, ›28 Arjuna Visada Yoga कृपया परयाविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत् |
अर्जुन उवाच |
दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम् ||१-२८|| 1.28 He was filled with deep compassion and said these words in despair :...Arjuna said:...O Krsna, when I look on these, my kinsmen present here, eager for battle, ›29 Arjuna Visada Yoga सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति |
वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते ||१-२९|| 1.29 My limbs are weakened, my mouth gets parched, my body trembles and my hairs stand erect. ›30 Arjuna Visada Yoga गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते |
न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः ||१-३०|| 1.30 The bow Gandiva slips from my hand and my skin is burning. I can stand no longer. My mind seems to reel. ›31 Arjuna Visada Yoga निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव |
न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे ||१-३१|| 1.31 I see, Krsna, inauspicious omens. I foresee no good in killing my kinsmen in the fight. ›32 Arjuna Visada Yoga न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च |
किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा ||१-३२|| 1.32 I desire no victory, nor empire, nor pleasures. What have we to do with empire, O Krsna, or enjoyment or even life ? ›33 Arjuna Visada Yoga येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च |
त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ||१-३३|| 1.33 Those for whose sake we do desire empire, enjoyment and pleasures, stand here in war renouncing life and wealth---- ›34 Arjuna Visada Yoga आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः |
मातुलाः श्वशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः सम्बन्धिनस्तथा ||१-३४|| 1.34 Teachers, fathers, sons and also grandfathers, uncles, fathers-in-law and grandsons, brothers-in-law and other kinsmen--- ›35 Arjuna Visada Yoga एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन |
अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते ||१-३५|| 1.35 These I would not slay, though they might slay me, even for the sovereignty of the three worlds - how much less for this earth O Krsna? ›36 Arjuna Visada Yoga निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन |
पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः ||१-३६|| 1.36 If we kill the sons of Dhrtarastra, what joy will be ours, O Krsna? Sin alone will accrue to us if we kill these murderous felons. ›37 Arjuna Visada Yoga तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्स्वबान्धवान् |
स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव ||१-३७|| 1.37 Therefore, it is not befitting that we slay our kin, the sons of Dhrtarastra. For if we kill our kinsmen, O Krsna, how indeed can we be happy? ›38 Arjuna Visada Yoga यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः |
कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम् ||१-३८|| 1.38 Though these people, whose minds are overpowered by greed, see no evil in the destruction of a clan and no sin in treachery to friends, ›39 Arjuna Visada Yoga कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम् |
कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन ||१-३९|| 1.39 Why should we not learn to shun this crime - we who see the evil of ruining a clan, O Krsna? ›40 Arjuna Visada Yoga कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः |
धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत ||१-४०|| 1.40 With the ruin of a clan, perish its ancient traditions, and when traditions perish, lawlessness overtakes the whole clan ›41 Arjuna Visada Yoga अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः |
स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः ||१-४१|| 1.41 When lawlessness prevails, O Krsna, the women of the clan become corrupt; when women become corrupt, there arises intermixture of classes. ›42 Arjuna Visada Yoga सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च |
पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः ||१-४२|| 1.42 This mixing of classes leads to hell the clan itself and its destroyers; for the spirits of their ancestors fall degraded, deprived of the ritual offerings of food and water. ›43 Arjuna Visada Yoga दोषैरेतैः कुलघ्नानां वर्णसङ्करकारकैः |
उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्माः कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वताः ||१-४३|| 1.43 By the sins of the clan-destroyers who bring about inter-mixture of classes, the ancient traditions of the clan and class are destroyed. ›44 Arjuna Visada Yoga उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन |
नरके नियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम (or नरकेऽनियतं) ||१-४४|| 1.44 For those whose clan-laws are destroyed, dwelling in hell is ordained, O Krsna; thus have we heard. ›45 Arjuna Visada Yoga अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम् |
यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः ||१-४५|| 1.45 Alas! We have resolved to commit a great sin in that we are ready to slay our kith and kin out of desire for sovereignty and enjoyments. ›46 Arjuna Visada Yoga यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः |
धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ||१-४६|| 1.46 If the well-armed sons of Dhrtarastra should slay me in battle, unresisting and unarmed, that will be better for me. ›47 Arjuna Visada Yoga सञ्जय उवाच |
एवमुक्त्वार्जुनः सङ्ख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् |
विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः ||१-४७|| 1.47 Sanjaya said : Having spoken thus on the battle-field, Arjuna threw aside his how and arrows and sat down on the seat of the chariot, his heart overwhelmed with grief. ›