duryodhana

Chapter 01, Verse 23

योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः।

धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः॥ 23॥

yotsyamanan avekse ham ya ete tra samagatah

dhartarastrasya durbuddher yuddhe Priya-cikirsavah॥ 23॥

Word-by-Word Analysis

Word Meaning
योत्स्यमानान् (yotsyamanan)
Those who are about to fight
अवेक्षे (avekse)
I wish to observe
अहं (aham)
I
यः (yaḥ)
Who
एते (ete)
These
अत्र (atra)
Here
समागताः (samagatah)
Have assembled
धार्तराष्ट्रस्य (dhartarastrasya)
Of Dhritarashtra’s son (Duryodhana)
दुर्बुद्धेः (durbuddheh)
Of the evil-minded
युद्धे (yuddhe)
In battle
प्रियचिकीर्षवः (priya-cikirsavah)
Wishing to please

Translation

            “I must see those assembled here, who have come to fight, and who are on the side of demon-minded son of Dhritarashtra, and who have come to please him in battle.”

Context of the Verse

            In This Verse Arjuna elaborates on his request to Krishna to move the chariot to the center of the battlefield. He wishes to see the warriors who have come together to battle on the side of the Kauravas. Arjuna calls Duryodhana (the son of Dhritarashtra) “durbuddhi” (one with an evil intellect) in his disdain towards his cousin’s actions. Even a person as evil as Karna wanted balance in the battle, but Duryodhana had crossed all lines of human decency and was no longer worthy of loyalty, compulsion, or desire to be in the good books of a leader.

            This verse deepens Arjuna’s emotional turmoil. He views the war as a struggle not just of arms, but of ethics that challenges the rationale of those on the other side. His words now hint at the doubt and the hesitation which will unfold in the following verses. This is the turning point, as Arjuna starts to grapple with the emotional ramifications of fighting his own family, teachers, and friends.

Explanation

Arjuna wants to see his opponents: Arjuna requests Krishna to place the chariot in the middle so that he can see the warriors who are against Duryodhana. This request highlights:

            His dharma as a Kshatriya to survey the battlefield before beginning the war of Kurukshetra. His emotional conflict as he starts to recognize the people who line up against him. And while Arjuna is a mighty warrior, this verse gives a glimpse of the doubts he has within him. At first, he takes a dutiful perspective on the war, looking around and letting his emotions start to take over.

Duryodhana as Durbuddhi (Evil-minded): Arjuna calling Duryodhana Durbuddhi (evil-minded) reflects his anger at the unrighteous acts of the Kauravas. Duryodhana’s pride and hubris made him shun a peaceful settlement. It was his greed and deception that brought about the rigged game of dice which resulted in the banishment of the Pandavas. Duryodhana, by contrast, upheld war over peace, even when given ample opportunity to avert it. So, Arjuna believes that those who have come to fight by his side are neither fighting for righteousness (dharma) but out of self-interest, e.g. to achieve their personal gains, power or out of fright.

The Nature of Priya-Cikirsavah(Wishing to Make Happy): Warrior who came to fight for Duryodhana are called Priyakirsavah, people come to please. Along with them, there are those for whom their loyalty lies with Duryodhana due to past Favors or personal enmity with Pandavas such as Karna and Shakuni. Some are bound by Dharma like Bhishma and Dronacharya, even knowing that Duryodhana’s cause is unjust. Arjuna, who was taught to fight as a means of protecting, realizes that many of the warriors on the opposing side may not even truly believe in Duryodhana’s cause but fight in service or for individual reasons. And this realization complicates his emotions.

Philosophical Lessons from these Verses

Righteousness vs. Unrighteousness battle: This verse represents the eternal struggle in life between dharma (righteousness) and adharma (unrighteousness). We create dilemmas even as humane activists where fighting for the right on the moral front might have a personal cost.

The impact of the leader: Although, Duryodhan is not on the right path, still he influences many great warriors to fight for him. This highlights how power and manipulation can lead individuals to rally behind a cause, even if it is an unjust one. Follow the lead, but as Dharma, do not blind followers.

Self-Reflection: Arjuna requesting to see the warriors on the battlefield is like holding off on some major decision until he has done his research. We all need to think a little more, about how our deeds are inspiring others in real life, whether the consequences of our deeds are truly in accordance with right action or not.

Contemporary Resonance: Duryodhana’s military symbolizes people who back unscrupulous leaders for their own advantages. As alluded to here, Arjuna’s internal conflict mirrors the moral quandaries we encounter in our private and public lives. The presence of Krishna as the charioteer becomes a metaphor for divine guidance, constantly reminding us how wisdom and righteousness need to always be our only beacon.

In Bhagavad Gita 1.23 Arjuna asks Krishna to drive the chariot so that he (Arjun) can see who all are assembled that are fighting against him along with Duryodhana, whom in Arjuna’s eyes was evil-minded. This request signals the start of Arjuna’s moral and emotional conflict; questioning the war and its repercussions. The verse brought to focus the war of dharma and adharma, the burden of leadership, and the necessity before taking action.

Chapter 01, Verse 24

सञ्जय उवाच:

एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत |

सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम् ॥ 24॥

sanjaya uvaca:

evam-ukto hrsikeso gudakesen bharata |

senayor ubhayor madhye sthapayitva rathottamam ॥ 24॥

Word-by-Word Analysis

Word Meaning
सञ्जय उवाच (sanjaya uvaca)
Sanjaya said
एवम् (evam)
Thus
उक्तः (uktoh)
Having been spoken to
हृषीकेशः (hrsikesoh)
Krishna (Lord of the senses)
गुडाकेशेन (gudakesen)
By Arjuna (Gudakesa-one who has conquered sleep)
भारत (Bharata)
O descendant of Bharata (addressing Dhritarashtra)
सेनयोः(senayoh)
Of the armies
उभयोः (ubhayoḥ)
Both
मध्ये (madhye)
In the middle
स्थापयित्वा (sthapayitva)
Having placed
रथोत्तमम् (rathottamam)
The supreme chariot

Translation

            “Sanjaya said: When thus addressed by Arjuna, Lord Krishna, in order to enable him to see the armies, placed the excellent chariot in between the two armies.”

Context of the Verse

            This verse is narrated by Sanjaya who is telling King Dhritarashtra, the blind king of Hastinapura, what is happening at the battle field.

            There, Sanjaya was gifted with divine vision, with which he could witness and describe what was occurring on the battlefield. Verse Arjuna commands Krsna to place the chariot between the two opposing armies. Through this act, Krishna embodies the divine counselor, guiding Arjuna towards self-realization.

Explanation

            Sanjay said: Being thus addressed by Arjuna, Lord krishna kept the glorious chariot of both the parties in between their armies. Arjuna is referred to as Guda Kesha, literally indicates sleep or ignorance. Because, Arjuna has conquered sleep and ignorance but keeping always close to Lord Krishna. His ignorance, like a materialistic person, intends for us to find spiritual questions and seek perfect knowledge of the same, as we do not typically question these things without guidance. We largely are interested in enjoying possessions.

            Arjuna being Guda Kesha exemplifies this thought. Like an iron rod heated in fire. It takes on the character of fire itself.” As we connect ourselves to God regularly we get spiritualized just like that rod from the fire. The spiritual world realises itself through our bodies and we transcend both sleep and ignorance. This is how faithful spiritualists spiritually rise to be closer to God. Of course, back then people were just awesome. They didn’t even feel hunger or thirst or need of sleep. For seven days and seven nights straight, a man called Shukhdev Goswami spoke Srimad Bhagavatam to Parikshit Maharaj. No food, no water, no naps. How wild is that? Then we have these six rad people, the Chat Goswami crew, who shaped Vrindavan into its present form. They make all the joyful moments with Lord Krishna during his childhood in Brindavan. But guess what? Then things got ugly, invasions or whatever. Then there were the Chat Goswamis, Rupa, Sanatan, Shilajeet, Gopal Bhatta, Raghunath Bhatta, Raghunath das who cleaned up the place and made it good.

            These fellas were normal before they became devotees. Eating and snoozing all day like a regular person (12-13 hours of sleep). However, once they got in touch with their spiritual side they hardly required much rest like one or two hours max.

            Lord Krishna says always do Kirtan, always keep chanting my names. Thus during the activities, if we keep saying God’s names then we are able to keep attached with that form of God. God has innumerable incarnations such as Ram, Varaha, Narasimha, etc. Also in Kaliyuga Nam avtar, this is another incarnation in the form of sound. When we chant the names of God, we remain connected with God and with the blessings of God, we overcome all ignorance and receive knowledge.

Chapter 01, Verse 25

सञ्जय उवाच:

भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम् |
उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान् समवेतान् कुरूनिति || 25 ||

sanjaya uvaca:

bhisma-drona-pramukhatah sarvesam ca mahikshitam |

uvaca partha pasyaitan samavetan kurun iti || 25 ||

Word-by-Word Analysis

Word Meaning
सञ्जय उवाच (sanjaya uvaca)
Sanjaya said (narrating to Dhritarashtra).
भीष्म-द्रोण-प्रमुखतः (bhisma-drona-pramukhatah)
In front of Bhishma, Drona, and other chief warriors.
सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम् (sarvesam ca mahikshitam)
And all the rulers of the earth (assembled there).
उवाच (uvaca)
Said.
पार्थ (partha)
O son of Pritha (Arjuna).
पश्य (pasya)
Behold.
एतान् (etan)
These.
समवेतान् (samavetan)
Gathered.
कुरून् (kurun)
The Kauravas (sons of Kuru).
इति (iti)
Thus.

Translation

            Sanjaya said: “O Dhritarashtra! In the battle of man, Lord Krishna stood tall in the mighty chariot and uttered these words to Arjuna as he addressed Bhishma, Dronacharya and all the kings of the world: ‘Behold, O Partha, all these Kurus assembled here.’ “

Context of the Verse

            In this verse Arjuna starts to feel deep emotional conflict after seeing his relatives, teachers, and friends gathered for war.

            Following the request of Arjuna, the lord Krishna positioned their chariot in the middle of the battlefield, army in view of Bhishma (his grand-uncle) and Drona (his guru). Most importantly, Krishna rarely if ever refers to Arjuna’s enemies as “Kauravas” but as “Kurus” (both the Pandavas and Kauravas belong to the Kuru dynasty). The subtle wording emphasizes Krishna’s neutrality and divine point of view.

            Sanjaya is narrating the battle occurrences to King Dhritarashtra, who is blind, literally and figuratively (because of attachment towards sons). In this way, Sanjaya paints the scene, and at the same time he conveys  just enough that this war is not only unavoidable, but that the sons of Dhritarashtra are about to pay the price for their unrighteous actions.

            Meaning of “O Partha!” Krishna tells Arjuna to “look” at the warriors gathered, gently encouraging him to view the reality of life in a warrior’s perspective rather than emotional attachment. This is a critical juncture that which ignites a moral and emotional crisis in Arjuna, resulting in his renowned “Vishada” (despondency or grief) in the following verses.

Chapter 01, Verse 26

सञ्जय उवाच:

तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान् पार्थ: पितृ नथ पितामहान् |

आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातृ न्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा || 26 ||

sanjaya uvacha:

tatrapasyat sthitan parthah pitrn atha pitamahan |

acaryan matulan bhratrn putran pautran sakhims tatha || 26 ||

Word-by-Word Analysis

Word Meaning
तत्र (tatra)
There (on the battlefield).
अपश्यत् (pasyat)
Saw.
स्थितान् (sthitan)
Standing.
पार्थः (parthah)
O son of Pritha (Arjuna).
पितॄन् (pitrn)
Fathers (elders, uncles, etc.).
अथ (atha)
And then.
पितामहान् (pitamahan)
Grandfathers (especially Bhishma).
आचार्यान् (acaryan)
Teachers (like Dronacharya, Kripacharya).
मातुलान् (matulan)
Maternal uncles (like Shalya).
भ्रातॄन् (bhratrn)
Brothers (like Duryodhana and his siblings).
पुत्रान् (putran)
Sons.
पौत्रान् (pautran).
Grandsons
सखीन् (sakhin)
Friends.
तथा (tatha)
As well.

Translation

            Sanjaya said: “There, Arjuna beheld his fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends standing before him.”

Context of the Verse

            This verse refers to the moment when Arjuna sees all the warrior on the battlefield. Krishna had previously commanded him to “behold” the assembled Kurus (Verse 1.25), and in identifying his loved ones for himself, Arjuna’s emotional reaction begins.

Chapter 01, Verse 27

तान्समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेयः सर्वान्बन्धूनवस्थितान् |

कृपया परयाविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत् || 27 ||

tan samiksya sa kaunteyah sarvan bandhun avasthitan |

karpaya parayavisto visidann idam abravit || 27 ||

Word-by-Word Analysis

Word Meaning
तान् (tan)
Them (the assembled warriors).
समीक्ष्य (samiksya)
Having seen.
स (sa)
He (Arjuna).
कौन्तेयः (kaunteyah)
Son of Kunti (Arjuna).
सर्वान् (sarvan)
All.
बन्धून् (bandhun)
Relatives.
अवस्थितान् (avasthitan)
Standing, positioned.
कृपया (karpaya)
By compassion.
परया (paraya)
Supreme, intense.
आविष्टः (avistah)
Overcome, overwhelmed.
विषीदन् (visidan)
Deeply sorrowful, depressed.
इदम् (idam)
This.
अब्रवीत् (abravit)
Said.

Translation

            Then, Sanjaya said: “On observing all the members of his family standing in battle formation, Arjuna, the son of Kunti, was overcome with compassion and sorrowfully spoke the following words.”

Context of the Verse

            This is the climax of Arjuna’s heart, where merged from being an observer of the war field, now he is affected personally about whom he has to fight.

Chapter 01, Verse 28

अर्जुन उवाच:

दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम् |

सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति || 28 ||

arjuna uvacha:

drstvemam sva-janam krsna yuyutsum samupasthitam |

sidanti mama gatrani mukham ca parisusyati || 28 ||

Word-by-Word Analysis

Word Meaning
अर्जुन उवाच (arjuna uvaca)
Arjuna said.
दृष्ट्वा (drstva)
Seeing.
इमं (imam)
This.
स्वजनं (sva-janam)
Own people, kinsmen.
कृष्ण (krsna)
O Krishna.
युयुत्सुम् (yuyutsum)
Desiring to fight.
समुपस्थितम् (samupasthitam)
Standing before me, assembled for battle.
सीदन्ति (sidanti)
Are trembling, collapsing.
मम (mama)
My.
गात्राणि (gatrani)
Limbs, body parts.
मुखं (mukham)
Mouth.
च (ca)
And.
परिशुष्यति (parisusyati)
Drying up.

Translation

            Arjuna said: “O Krishna, seeing my own kinsmen assembled here and eager for battle, my limbs tremble, and my mouth dries up.”

Context of the Verse

            This verse marks Arjuna’s first direct statement to Krishna about his inner turmoil.

Chapter 01, Verse 29

वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते |

गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते || 29 ||

vepathus ca sarire me roma-harsa ca jayate |

gandivam sramsate hastat tvak caiva paridahyate || 29 ||

Word-by-Word Analysis

Word Meaning
वेपथुः (vepathuh)
Trembling, shivering.
च (cha)
And.
शरीरे (sarire)
In my body.
मे (me)
My.
रोमहर्षः (roma-harsah)
Hair standing on end (goosebumps).
च (cha)
And.
जायते (jayate)
Arises, is happening.
गाण्डीवं (gandivam)
The Gandiva bow (Arjuna’s celestial bow).
स्रंसते (sramsate)
Slipping, falling.
हस्तात् (hastat)
From my hand.
त्वक् (tvak)
Skin.
च (cha)
And.
एव (eva)
Indeed, certainly.
परिदह्यते (paridahyate)
Burning, scorching.

Translation

            “My entire body shakes and hair raises at the roots. My Gandiva bow is sprouting from my fingers, and my skin is ablaze.

Context of the Verse

            This verse indicates that Arjuna’s physical and emotional collapse is deepening along with his inner indecisiveness.

Explanation

            So we can imagine what is the state of Arjuna in the war field. While all our relatives, brothers, fathers, father in laws and so many other dear friends, teachers and relatives come in front of us with swords, arrows and guns in their hands knelling us to kill us. What would be our situation? They are willing to kill us. The people that we love, the people that we are supposed to kill, right. We are duty bound. It would be extremely extremely pathetic situation. And this is the plight of Arjuna. As soon as he saw wanted to see who has come and when he saw all his dear came all his dear relatives. He is saying his father there which was Bhishma and Bhishma was the one correcting Arjun. So I am not father, I am grandfather when he tries to climb on lap of Bhishma. He stands with bows and arrows, ready to kill Arjuna, his teacher Drona, and all other men. So this material world this is very beautifully summarises as “Pavarga” in the vaidic texts.

What is Pavarga? So again, this is very important instruction.

            When it comes to following Dharma, the dos and donts of our life, we always question it and reasoning for whatever God has designed for us. Others see it as entirely about economic growth, if anyone even cares to follow it at all. However, there is also mention of economic development in some religious codes personifying in this dharma, artha, kama, moksh. But these religions, which are centered towards the material gain, are described as deceptive religions in Bhagavatam as “Kaitava Dharma”. Similar to how schools want to disseminate knowledge but kids just walk into play schools assuming its a fun place to be. They are full-on playing, not noticing that the transition from play into serious education is the real objective. Kaitava Dharma: For those who are not intelligent enough and have to be given instructions as little children. According to the Vedas, one should strictly observe rules and perform rituals and practices to achieve material success, such as fame, comfort or defeating enemies. However what Dharma should we follow, is well explained in Srimad Bhagavatham.

Very few people know this, no one teaches this. Dharma is meant for Upavarga. what is Pavarga?

            A lot is happening in the world. What are these Many countries, universities, and establishments. It includes factories, offices and businesses. Sports and other activities being held too. But all of it can be summed up in Pavarga. We have P, F, B & Ma in our beautiful Devanagari alphabet. This is a Pavagada per series At the material level everyone has to toil hard (pa means toil) पूर्व : make this world. Parisram Before Parisram there is ‘Fa’ which is foam. Like when a horse exerts itself and gets foam all in its mouth. Hard work is also exhausting and fatiguing. And being tired is merely a part of life in the material world. We do a lot of work, so much at times that we begin to drool. We are carried away and after that difficult time, then it is “ba” types of Being tied. We see some positive rewards beautiful things, societal recognition, loving people or cute animals, and we get all invested. These things, people, and positions are what our hearts become super attached to. This is called attachment or Bandhan. And then you know what else follows after Bandhan is Fear crawling in. A student when they reach a top spot always is afraid of losing even a single point. So, they are stringently worried. And after somebody has become rich they fear losing it all. Not much of a cycle, huh? Keep in mind that it is and that it is part of the life. Well I just got a shiny new car. I hope no dings visit my fancy new ride. I also worry about something happening to my relatives.” How it always haunts me and that make me anxious every time. Everyone is afraid of losing a loved one, perhaps money or reputation. That is a heavy burden to bear. When you are surrounded by fear and anxiety about what will happen next, life becomes very hard. And know what? “Ma” is just another way to say “death”. It is an integral part of the material life we find ourselves in. Everyone wants happiness that brings joy to our hearts. However, it is often missing because we do not remember who we really are. Each one of us is linked to the Supreme Self. Yet we tend to treat Krishna the way Duryodhana did those days. We worship God for his powers, strength, wealth and never seek God for who He is in His Holiness. Our relationship is conditional is nothing more than a get rich scheme. And that’s where shit starts falling apart. The infinite cycle of birth, death, and suffering proceeds. This is a never-ending cycle of fear based on material attachments, the actual reality of Dharma is to liberate oneself from this cycle and end the reign of death on us. That is the higher purpose of having this one human designation in this lifetime after thousands of other iterations we had to merit through the evolutionary process. Let’s use it to our great advantage, together.

            We prepare for death before it comes that there may be no more deaths. We may become immortal after this death. This is the preparation. But we have no knowledge. So we have to understand. We have prevented some diseases, just like with the science. So diverting of life through the same, as stated in bhagvat Geeta with the amazing signs. Some diseases have stopped to that principle we too can stop death. Science can completely stop all these diseases and stop death by the scientific regulative principles of the Bhagavad Gita, and that is the aim of human form of life preparation for immortality.

            This is what happened Dashrath Maharaj when he meets with sage Vishwamitra. Who visited him in his court? So when we see each other we normally ask how are you? How are you doing? How your family members are, but what can you ask a sage? Then, the father of Lord Ramachandra Dashrath Maharaj asked my dear sage, how are your endeavors going on to win over this repeated deaths? “Punar Janma Jaya” claimed victory of life over repeated birth and death. This is the goal of human form of life. Dharma has its own role to play in the scheme of things. Otherwise it is like that of Arjun, still fretful, still anxious.

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