अध्याय १: अर्जुनविषादयोग

श्लोक 1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच

धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः।

मामकाः पांडवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत संजय॥

Dhritarashtra Uvacha

Dharmakshetre Kurukshetre Samaveta Yuyutsavah |

Mamakah Pandavashchaiva Kimakurvata Sanjaya ||

Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, assembled on the sacred field of Kurukshetra, eager to fight, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do?

श्लोक 2

संजय उवाच

दृष्ट्वा तु पांडवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा।

आचार्यमुपसंगम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत्॥

Sanjaya Uvacha

Drishtva Tu Pandavanikam Vyudham Duryodhanastada |

Acharyamupasangamya Raja Vachanamabravit ||

Sanjaya says Duryodhana saw the Pandava force drawn up, went to his teacher, and addressed him.

श्लोक 3

पश्यैतां पांडुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम्।
व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता॥

Pashyaitam Panduputranamacharya Mahatim Chamum |
Vyudham Drupadaputrena Tava Shishyena Dhimata ||

He tells the teacher to look at the great army of Pandu's sons, arrayed by Drupada's son, the teacher's intelligent pupil.

श्लोक 4

अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि।
युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः॥

Atra Shura Maheshvasa Bhimarjunasama Yudhi |
Yuyudhano Viratashcha Drupadashcha Maharathah ||

There are mighty bowmen equal to Bhima and Arjuna in battle, including Yuyudhana, Virata and Drupada, a great chariot warrior.

श्लोक 5

धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान्।
पुरुजित्कुंतिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुंगवः॥

Dhrishtaketushchekitanah Kashirajashcha Viryavan |
Purujitkuntibhojashcha Shaibyashcha Narapungavah ||

Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, the valiant King of Kashi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Shaibya, the best among men.

श्लोक 6

युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान्।
सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथाः॥

Yudhamanyushcha Vikranta Uttamaujashcha Viryavan |
Saubhadro Draupadeyashcha Sarva Eva Maharathah ||

The valiant Yudhamanyu, the powerful Uttamaujas, Subhadra's son and Draupadi's sons are all formidable warriors.

श्लोक 7

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

Asmakam Tu Vishishta Ye Tannibodha Dvijottama |
Nayaka Mama Sainyasya Sanjnartham Tanbravimi Te ||

Now, best of the twice-born, take note of the distinguished leaders of my army; I shall name them for you.

श्लोक 8

भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः।
अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च॥

Bhavanbhishmashcha Karnashcha Kripashcha Samitinjayah |
Ashvatthama Vikarnashcha Saumadattistathaiva Cha ||

You, Bhishma and Karna; Kripa, victorious in battle; and Ashvatthama, Vikarna and Somadatta's son are among them.

श्लोक 9

अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः।
नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः॥

Anye Cha Bahavah Shura Madarthe Tyaktajivitah |
Nanashastrapraharanah Sarve Yuddhavisharadah ||

Many other heroes, prepared to give their lives for my sake, carry varied weapons and are skilled in war.

श्लोक 10

अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम्।
पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम्॥

Aparyaptam Tadasmakam Balam Bhishmabhirakshitam |
Paryaptam Tvidametesham Balam Bhimabhirakshitam ||

Duryodhana contrasts his force, protected by Bhishma, with the opposing force protected by Bhima; his paired terms can mean that his side is insufficient and theirs sufficient, or that his side is without limit and theirs limited.

श्लोक 11

अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः।
भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि॥

Ayaneshu Cha Sarveshu Yathabhagamavasthitah |
Bhishmamevabhirakshantu Bhavantah Sarva Eva Hi ||

All of you, stationed at your assigned places on every side, must protect Bhishma above all.

श्लोक 12

तस्य संजनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः।
सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शंखं दध्मौ प्रतापवान्॥

Tasya Sanjanayanharsham Kuruvriddhah Pitamahah |
Simhanadam Vinadyochchaih Shankham Dadhmau Pratapavan ||

To hearten him, the venerable Kuru grandsire gave a loud lion-like roar and blew his conch.

श्लोक 13

ततः शंखाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः।
सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत्॥

Tatah Shankhashcha Bheryashcha Panavanakagomukhah |
Sahasaivabhyahanyanta Sa Shabdastumulo'bhavat ||

Conches, large drums, small drums, kettle drums and horns sounded all at once, producing a tumultuous noise.

श्लोक 14

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

Tatah Shvetairhayairyukte Mahati Syandane Sthitau |
Madhavah Pandavashchaiva Divyau Shankhau Pradadhmatuh ||

Then Madhava and the Pandava, standing in a great chariot drawn by white horses, blew their divine conches.

श्लोक 15

पांचजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनंजयः।
पौंड्रं दध्मौ महाशंखं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः॥

Panchajanyam Hrishikesho Devadattam Dhananjayah |
Paundram Dadhmau Mahashankham Bhimakarma Vrikodarah ||

Hrishikesha sounded Panchajanya, Dhananjaya sounded Devadatta, and Bhima of formidable deeds sounded the great conch Paundra.

श्लोक 16

अनंतविजयं राजा कुंतीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः।
नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ॥

Anantavijayam Raja Kuntiputro Yudhishthirah |
Nakulah Sahadevashcha Sughoshamanipushpakau ||

King Yudhishthira, Kunti's son, blew Anantavijaya; Nakula and Sahadeva sounded Sughosha and Manipushpaka, respectively.

श्लोक 17

काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखंडी च महारथः।
धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः॥

Kashyashcha Parameshvasah Shikhandi Cha Maharathah |
Dhrishtadyumno Viratashcha Satyakishchaparajitah ||

Also named are the great archer from Kashi, Shikhandi the mighty chariot-warrior, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata and undefeated Satyaki.

श्लोक 18

द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते।
सौभद्रश्च महाबाहुः शंखान्दध्मुः पृथक्पृथक्॥

Drupado Draupadeyashcha Sarvashah Prithivipate |
Saubhadrashcha Mahabahuh Shankhandadhmuh Prithakprithak ||

On every side, O ruler of the earth, Drupada, Draupadi's sons and mighty-armed Subhadra's son each blew a conch.

श्लोक 19

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

Sa Ghosho Dhartarashtranam Hridayani Vyadarayat |
Nabhashcha Prithivim Chaiva Tumulo Vyanunadayan ||

That uproar pierced the hearts of Dhritarashtra's sons and echoed through the sky and the earth.

श्लोक 20

अथ व्यवस्थितान् दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान् कपिध्वजः।
प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसंपाते धनुरुद्यम्य पांडवः॥

Atha Vyavasthitan Drishtva Dhartarashtran Kapidhvajah |
Pravritte Shastrasampate Dhanurudyamya Pandavah ||

As the clash of weapons began, Arjuna, whose standard bore a monkey, saw Dhritarashtra's sons arrayed and raised his bow.

श्लोक 21

हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते।

अर्जुन उवाच

सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत॥

Hrishikesham Tada Vakyamidamaha Mahipate |

Arjuna Uvacha

Senayorubhayormadhye Ratham Sthapaya Me'chyuta ||

Arjuna then addressed Hrishikesha, O king, saying: O Achyuta, please place my chariot between the two armies.

श्लोक 22

यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान्।
कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन्रणसमुद्यमे॥

Yavadetannirikshe'ham Yoddhukamanavasthitan |
Kairmaya Saha Yoddhavyamasminranasamudyame ||

Let me look at those standing here eager to fight, with whom I must engage in this impending battle.

श्लोक 23

योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः।
धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः॥

Yotsyamananavekshe'ham Ya Ete'tra Samagatah |
Dhartarashtrasya Durbuddheryuddhe Priyachikirshavah ||

I want to see who has assembled here ready to fight, seeking to please Dhritarashtra's misguided son in this battle.

श्लोक 24

संजय उवाच

एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत।

सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम्॥

Sanjaya Uvacha

Evamukto Hrishikesho Gudakeshena Bharata |

Senayorubhayormadhye Sthapayitva Rathottamam ||

Sanjaya tells Bharata that, after Gudakesha addressed him, Hrishikesha placed the excellent chariot between the two armies.

श्लोक 25

भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम्।
उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति॥

Bhishmadronapramukhatah Sarvesham Cha Mahikshitam |
Uvacha Partha Pashyaitansamavetankuruniti ||

In front of Bhishma, Drona and all the rulers, he said, 'Partha, look at these Kurus gathered here.'

श्लोक 26

तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान्।
आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा॥

Tatrapashyatsthitanparthah Pitrinatha Pitamahan |
Acharyanmatulanbhratrinputranpautransakhimstatha ||

Partha saw fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons and friends standing there.

श्लोक 27

श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि।
तान्समीक्ष्य स कौंतेयः सर्वान्बंधूनवस्थितान्॥

Shvashuransuhridashchaiva Senayorubhayorapi |
Tansamikshya Sa Kaunteyah Sarvanbandhunavasthitan ||

He also saw fathers-in-law and well-wishers on both sides. Looking at all those relatives before him, Kunti's son...

श्लोक 28

कृपया परयाऽऽविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत्।

अर्जुन उवाच

दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम्॥

Kripaya Paraya''vishto Vishidannidamabravit |

Arjuna Uvacha

Drishtvemam Svajanam Krishna Yuyutsum Samupasthitam ||

Sanjaya says compassion overcame him and he spoke in distress. Arjuna begins: 'Krishna, seeing my own people assembled, eager to fight...'

श्लोक 29

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

Sidanti Mama Gatrani Mukham Cha Parishushyati |
Vepathushcha Sharire Me Romaharshashcha Jayate ||

My limbs weaken, my mouth dries, my body trembles and my hair stands on end.

श्लोक 30

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

Gandivam Sramsate Hastattvakchaiva Paridahyate |
Na Cha Shaknomyavasthatum Bhramativa Cha Me Manah ||

My Gandiva slips from my hand and my skin burns; I cannot remain standing, and my mind seems to whirl.

श्लोक 31

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

Nimittani Cha Pashyami Viparitani Keshava |
Na Cha Shreyo'nupashyami Hatva Svajanamahave ||

I see troubling signs, Keshava, and no good in killing my own people in battle.

श्लोक 32

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

Na Kankshe Vijayam Krishna Na Cha Rajyam Sukhani Cha |
Kim No Rajyena Govinda Kim Bhogairjivitena Va ||

I do not want victory, a kingdom or pleasures, Krishna. What use to us are a kingdom, enjoyments or even life, Govinda?

श्लोक 33

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

Yeshamarthe Kankshitam No Rajyam Bhogah Sukhani Cha |
Ta Ime'vasthita Yuddhe Pranamstyaktva Dhanani Cha ||

The very people for whose sake we seek a kingdom, enjoyments and comforts stand here for battle, ready to give up life and wealth.

श्लोक 34

आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः।
मातुलाः श्वशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः संबंधिनस्तथा॥

Acharyah Pitarah Putrastathaiva Cha Pitamahah |
Matulah Shvashurah Pautrah Shyalah Sambandhinastatha ||

They include teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law and other relatives.

श्लोक 35

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

Etanna Hantumichchhami Ghnato'pi Madhusudana |
Api Trailokyarajyasya Hetoh Kim Nu Mahikrite ||

I do not wish to kill them, Madhusudana, even if they kill me—not for rule over three worlds, much less for the earth.

श्लोक 36

निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन।
पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः॥

Nihatya Dhartarashtrannah Ka Pritih Syajjanardana |
Papamevashrayedasmanhatvaitanatatayinah ||

What joy could come from killing Dhritarashtra's sons, Janardana? Even though they are aggressors, killing them would burden us with wrongdoing.

श्लोक 37

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

Tasmannarha Vayam Hantum Dhartarashtransvabandhavan |
Svajanam Hi Katham Hatva Sukhinah Syama Madhava ||

Therefore, we ought not to kill Dhritarashtra's sons, our own kin. How could we be happy after killing our people, Madhava?

श्लोक 38

यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः।
कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम्॥

Yadyapyete Na Pashyanti Lobhopahatachetasah |
Kulakshayakritam Dosham Mitradrohe Cha Patakam ||

Though greed has clouded their minds, they do not see the wrong in destroying a family or betraying friends.

श्लोक 39

कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम्।
कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन॥

Katham Na Jneyamasmabhih Papadasmannivartitum |
Kulakshayakritam Dosham Prapashyadbhirjanardana ||

We see the wrong that comes from a family's destruction; why should we not turn away from this act, Janardana?

श्लोक 40

कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः।
धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत॥

Kulakshaye Pranashyanti Kuladharmah Sanatanah |
Dharme Nashte Kulam Kritsnamadharmo'bhibhavatyuta ||

When a family is destroyed, its long-standing practices perish; as they disappear, disorder overtakes the whole family.

श्लोक 41

अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः।
स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसंकरः॥

Adharmabhibhavatkrishna Pradushyanti Kulastriyah |
Strishu Dushtasu Varshneya Jayate Varnasankarah ||

Arjuna claims that, as disorder prevails, women of the family become 'corrupted,' leading, in his view, to a mixing of social lineages.

श्लोक 42

संकरो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च।
पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः॥

Sankaro Narakayaiva Kulaghnanam Kulasya Cha |
Patanti Pitaro Hyesham Luptapindodakakriyah ||

In Arjuna's argument, this mixing leads family-destroyers and their families toward hell; he says their ancestors fall when rites of food and water offerings cease.

श्लोक 43

दोषैरेतैः कुलघ्नानां वर्णसंकरकारकैः।
उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्माः कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वताः॥

Doshairetaih Kulaghnanam Varnasankarakarakaih |
Utsadyante Jatidharmah Kuladharmashcha Shashvatah ||

He says the acts that destroy families and confuse social lineages would erase the long-standing practices of communities and families.

श्लोक 44

उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन।
नरके नियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम॥

Utsannakuladharmanam Manushyanam Janardana |
Narake Niyatam Vaso Bhavatityanushushruma ||

Arjuna tells Janardana that he has heard people whose family practices have collapsed are destined to dwell in hell.

श्लोक 45

अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम्।
यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः॥

Aho Bata Mahatpapam Kartum Vyavasita Vayam |
Yadrajyasukhalobhena Hantum Svajanamudyatah ||

Alas, driven by desire for royal pleasures, we are prepared to commit a grave wrong by killing our own people.

श्लोक 46

यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः।
धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत्॥

Yadi Mamapratikaramashastram Shastrapanayah |
Dhartarashtra Rane Hanyustanme Kshemataram Bhavet ||

Arjuna says it would be better for him to be killed in battle by Dhritarashtra's armed sons while he remains unarmed and does not resist.

श्लोक 47

संजय उवाच

एवमुक्त्वाऽर्जुनः संख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्।

विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः॥

Sanjaya Uvacha

Evamuktva'rjunah Sankhye Rathopastha Upavishat |

Visrijya Sasharam Chapam Shokasamvignamanasah ||

Sanjaya says that, after speaking on the battlefield, Arjuna let go of his bow with its arrow and sat down on the chariot seat, his mind shaken by grief.

समापन लेख

इति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादेऽर्जुनविषादयोगो नाम प्रथमोऽध्यायः।

Iti Shrimadbhagavadgitasupanishatsu Brahmavidyayam Yogashastre Shrikrishnarjunasamvade'rjunavishadayogo Nama Prathamo'dhyayah |

Thus ends the first chapter, called the Yoga of Arjuna's Despondency, in the dialogue of Krishna and Arjuna, within the revered Bhagavad Gita's Upanishadic teaching on knowledge of Brahman and the discipline of yoga.