Chapter 1: Arjuna's Grief
अर्जुनविषादयोग · 47 verses. The King Dhritarashtra asked, "O Sanjaya! What happened on the sacred battlefield of Kurukshetra when my people and the Pandavas gathered?"
- 1.1 The King Dhritarashtra asked, "O Sanjaya! What happened on the sacred battlefield of Kurukshetra when my people and the Pandavas gathered?"
- 1.2 Sanjaya replied: "When Prince Duryodhana saw the Pandavas' army paraded, he approached his preceptor Guru Drona and spoke these words:
- 1.3 Revered Father! Behold this mighty host of the Pandavas, paraded by the son of King Drupada, your wise disciple.
- 1.4 In it are heroes and great bowmen; the equals in battle of Arjuna, Bheema, Yuyudhana, Virata, and Drupada—all great soldiers.
- 1.5 Dhrishtaketu, Chekitan, the valiant king of Benares, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Shaibya—a master of many.
- 1.6 Yudhamanyu, Uttamouja, Soubhadra, and the sons of Droupadi—all famous men.
- 1.7 No changes needed.
- 1.8 You come first; then Bheeshma, Karna, Kripa, great warriors; Ashwaththama, Vikarna, and the son of Somadhatta;
- 1.9 And many others, all ready to die for My sake; all armed, all skilled in warfare.
- 1.10 Yet our army seems weaker, though commanded by Bhishma; their army seems stronger, though commanded by Bhima.
- 1.11 Therefore, let the rank and file stand firm in their posts according to battalions, and all you generals around Bheeshma.
- 1.12 Then, to enliven his spirits, the brave Grandfather Bheeshma, the eldest of the Kuru clan, blew his conch, its sound resembling that of a lion's roar.
- 1.13 And immediately, all the conches, drums, trumpets, and horns blared forth in a tumultuous uproar.
- 1.14 Then, seated in their spacious war chariot, yoked with white horses, Lord Shri Krishna and Arjuna sounded their divine conch shells.
- 1.15 Lord Shri Krishna blew his Panchajanya, and Arjuna blew his Devadatta; brave Bheema blew his renowned shell, Poundra.
- 1.16 The King Dharmaraja, the son of Kunti, blew the Anantavijaya, Nakula, and Sahadeva, the Sughosa and Manipushpaka, respectively.
- 1.17 And the Maharaja of Benares, the great archer, Shikhandi, the great soldier, Dhrishtayumna, Virata, and Satyaki, the invincible one,
- 1.18 And, O King! Drupada's sons, Droupadi's sons, and the great soldier Soubhadra blew their conches.
- 1.19 The tumult rent the hearts of the sons of Dhritarashtra, shaking heaven and earth with its echoing violence.
- 1.20 Then, upon beholding the sons of Dhritarashtra, drawn up on the battlefield, ready to fight, Arjuna, whose flag bore the image of Hanuman,
- 1.21 Raising his bow, he spoke this to the Lord Shri Krishna: O Infallible Lord of the earth! Please draw up my chariot between the two armies.
- 1.22 So that I may observe those who must fight on my side and those who must fight against me.
- 1.23 And gaze upon this array of soldiers, eager to please the sons of Dhritarashtra who are sinful.
- 1.24 Sanjaya said: "Having listened to Arjuna's request, Lord Shri Krishna drew up His bright chariot in the midst between the two armies.
- 1.25 Where Bheeshma and Drona had led all the rulers of the earth, they spoke thus: O Arjuna! Behold, these members of the family of Kuru are assembled.
- 1.26 There, Arjuna noticed fathers, grandfathers, uncles, cousins, sons, grandsons, teachers, and friends.
- 1.27 Fathers-in-law and benefactors were arrayed on both sides, and Arjuna then gazed at all those kinsmen before him.
- 1.28 And his heart melted with pity, and sadly he spoke: "O my Lord! When I see all these, my own people, thirsting for battle,
- 1.29 My limbs are failing me, my throat is parched, my body is trembling, and my hair is standing on end.
- 1.30 The bow Gandiva slips from my hand, and my skin burns. I cannot remain still, for my mind is in tumult.
- 1.31 The omens are unfavorable; what good can come from the slaughter of my people on this battlefield?
- 1.32 Ah, my Lord! I do not crave victory, nor a kingdom, nor any pleasure. What would a kingdom, happiness, or life be to me?
- 1.33 When those for whose sake I desire these things stand here, about to sacrifice their property and lives:
- 1.34 Teachers, fathers, grandfathers, sons, grandsons, uncles, fathers-in-law, brothers-in-law, and other relatives.
- 1.35 I would not kill them, even for three worlds; why then for this earth alone? It matters not if I myself am killed.
- 1.36 My Lord! What happiness can come from the death of these sons of Dhritarashtra? We shall be committing a sin if we kill these desperate men.
- 1.37 We are worthy of a nobler feat than slaughtering our relatives—the sons of Dhritarashtra; for, my Lord, how can we be happy if we kill our kinsmen?
- 1.38 Although these men, blinded by greed, see no guilt in destroying their kin or fighting against their friends,
- 1.39 Should we not, whose eyes are open and who consider it wrong to annihilate our family, turn away from such a great crime?
- 1.40 The destruction of our kindred means the destruction of the traditions of our ancient lineage, and when these are lost, irreligion will overrun our homes.
- 1.41 When irreligion spreads, the women of the house start to stray; when they lose their purity, adulteration of the lineage follows.
- 1.42 Promiscuity ruins both the family and those who defile it; while the souls of our ancestors droop, due to the lack of funeral cakes and ablutions.
- 1.43 By the destruction of our lineage and the pollution of our blood, ancient class traditions and family purity alike perish.
- 1.44 The wise say, my Lord, that they are forever lost whose ancient traditions have been lost.
- 1.45 Alas, it is strange that we should be willing to kill our own countrymen and commit a great sin, in order to enjoy the pleasures of kingdom.
- 1.46 If, on the contrary, the sons of Dhritarashtra, with weapons in hand, should slay me, unarmed and unresisting, surely that would be better for my welfare!
- 1.47 Sanjaya said: "Having spoken thus, Arjuna sank into the seat of his chariot, discarding his bow and arrow, overwhelmed with grief in the midst of the armies."