Sacred Scripture / Chapter 1
47 published verses from Srimad Bhagavad Gita (अर्जुनविषादयोगः). The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair. Chapter 1 sets the dramatic stage of the Mahabharata war on the field of Kurukshetra. Facing teachers, grandsires, and beloved kinsmen in the opposing army, Arjuna suffers an acute crisis of conscience, drops his weapons, and refuses to fight, preparing the essential ground for Lord Krishna’s immortal discourse.
Explore original Sanskrit, word-by-word padartha, trilingual translations, commentary, reflections, and modern life applications.
47 verses
Verse 1.1
dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ | māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāścaiva kimakurvata sañjaya ||1||
Dhritarashtra said: Sanjaya, when my sons and the sons of Pandu assembled at Kurukshetra, the field of dharma, eager to fight, what did they do?
Verse 1.2
dṛṣṭvā tu pāṇḍavānīkaṃ vyūḍhaṃ duryodhanastadā | ācāryamupasaṅgamya rājā vacanamabravīt ||2||
Sanjaya said: On seeing the Pandava army drawn up for battle, King Duryodhana approached his teacher and spoke these words.
Verse 1.3
paśyaitāṃ pāṇḍuputrāṇāmācārya mahatīṃ camūm | vyūḍhāṃ drupadaputreṇa tava śiṣyeṇa dhīmatā ||3||
Teacher, look at this great army of Pandu's sons, arranged by the intelligent son of Drupada, your own pupil.
Verse 1.4
atra śūrā maheṣvāsā bhīmārjunasamā yudhi | yuyudhāno virāṭaśca drupadaśca mahārathaḥ ||4||
Here are heroes and mighty archers equal to Bhima and Arjuna in battle: Yuyudhana, Virata, and Drupada, a great chariot-warrior.
Verse 1.5
dhṛṣṭaketuścekitānaḥ kāśirājaśca vīryavān | purujitkuntibhojaśca śaibyaśca narapuṅgavaḥ ||5||
There are also Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, the valiant king of Kashi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Shaibya, an eminent man.
Verse 1.6
yudhāmanyuśca vikrānta uttamaujāśca vīryavān | saubhadro draupadeyāśca sarva eva mahārathāḥ ||6||
There are the courageous Yudhamanyu, the valiant Uttamauja, Subhadra's son, and Draupadi's sons; all are great chariot-warriors.
Verse 1.7
asmākaṃ tu viśiṣṭā ye tānnibodha dvijottama | nāyakā mama sainyasya saṃjñārthaṃ tānbravīmi te ||7||
Now learn who the distinguished men on our side are, best of the twice-born. I will name the leaders of my army for your information.
Verse 1.8
bhavānbhīṣmaśca karṇaśca kṛpaśca samitiñjayaḥ | aśvatthāmā vikarṇaśca saumadattistathaiva ca ||8||
You yourself, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa, victorious in battle, Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and the son of Somadatta are among them.
Verse 1.9
anye ca bahavaḥ śūrā madarthe tyaktajīvitāḥ | nānāśastrapraharaṇāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ ||9||
Many other heroes, ready to give up their lives for me, bear various weapons and are all skilled in warfare.
Verse 1.10
aparyāptaṃ tadasmākaṃ balaṃ bhīṣmābhirakṣitam | paryāptaṃ tvidameteṣāṃ balaṃ bhīmābhirakṣitam ||10||
Our strength, protected by Bhishma, is boundless, whereas their strength, protected by Bhima, is limited.
Verse 1.11
ayaneṣu ca sarveṣu yathābhāgamavasthitāḥ | bhīṣmamevābhirakṣantu bhavantaḥ sarva eva hi ||11||
Therefore, all of you, stationed in your assigned positions at every approach, must protect Bhishma in particular.
Verse 1.12
tasya sañjanayanharṣaṃ kuruvṛddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ | siṃhanādaṃ vinadyoccaiḥ śaṅkhaṃ dadhmau pratāpavān ||12||
Then the valiant grandsire Bhishma, eldest of the Kurus, gave a loud lion-like roar and blew his conch, bringing joy to Duryodhana.
Verse 1.13
tataḥ śaṅkhāśca bheryaśca paṇavānakagomukhāḥ | sahasaivābhyahanyanta sa śabdastumulo'bhavat ||13||
Then conches, kettledrums, smaller drums, large drums, and horns sounded together suddenly, producing a tremendous uproar.
Verse 1.14
tataḥ śvetairhayairyukte mahati syandane sthitau | mādhavaḥ pāṇḍavaścaiva divyau śaṅkhau pradadhmatuḥ ||14||
Then Madhava and the son of Pandu, seated in a magnificent chariot drawn by white horses, blew their divine conches.
Verse 1.15
pāñcajanyaṃ hṛṣīkeśo devadattaṃ dhanañjayaḥ | pauṇḍraṃ dadhmau mahāśaṅkhaṃ bhīmakarmā vṛkodaraḥ ||15||
Hrishikesha blew Panchajanya, Dhananjaya blew Devadatta, and Vrikodara, the doer of formidable deeds, blew the great conch Paundra.
Verse 1.16
anantavijayaṃ rājā kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | nakulaḥ sahadevaśca sughoṣamaṇipuṣpakau ||16||
King Yudhishthira, Kunti's son, blew Anantavijaya; Nakula and Sahadeva blew Sughosha and Manipushpaka.
Verse 1.17
kāśyaśca parameṣvāsaḥ śikhaṇḍī ca mahārathaḥ | dhṛṣṭadyumno virāṭaśca sātyakiścāparājitaḥ ||17||
The king of Kashi, a supreme archer, Shikhandi the great chariot-warrior, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and the undefeated Satyaki also joined them.
Verse 1.18
drupado draupadeyāśca sarvaśaḥ pṛthivīpate | saubhadraśca mahābāhuḥ śaṅkhāndadhmuḥ pṛthakpṛthak ||18||
Drupada, all Draupadi's sons, and the mighty-armed son of Subhadra each blew their own conches, O lord of the earth.
Verse 1.19
sa ghoṣo dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ hṛdayāni vyadārayat | nabhaśca pṛthivīṃ caiva tumulo'bhyanunādayan ||19||
That tremendous sound echoed through sky and earth and tore into the hearts of Dhritarashtra's sons.
Verse 1.20
atha vyavasthitāndṛṣṭvā dhārtarāṣṭrānkapidhvajaḥ | pravṛtte śastrasampāte dhanurudyamya pāṇḍavaḥ ||20||
Then Arjuna, whose banner bore the monkey emblem, saw Dhritarashtra's sons arrayed for battle and raised his bow as the clash of weapons was about to begin.
Verse 1.21
hṛṣīkeśaṃ tadā vākyamidamāha mahīpate | senayorubhayormadhye rathaṃ sthāpaya me'cyuta ||21||
O king, Arjuna then said these words to Hrishikesha: Achyuta, place my chariot between the two armies.
Verse 1.22
yāvadetānnirīkṣe'haṃ yoddhukāmānavasthitān | kairmayā saha yoddhavyamasminraṇasamudyame ||22||
Let me observe those who stand here wishing to fight, and see with whom I must contend in this undertaking of battle.
Verse 1.23
yotsyamānānavekṣe'haṃ ya ete'tra samāgatāḥ | dhārtarāṣṭrasya durbuddheryuddhe priyacikīrṣavaḥ ||23||
I wish to look at those gathered here to fight, who seek to please the ill-minded son of Dhritarashtra in this war.
Verse 1.24
evamukto hṛṣīkeśo guḍākeśena bhārata | senayorubhayormadhye sthāpayitvā rathottamam ||24||
Sanjaya said: Thus addressed by Gudakesha, Hrishikesha positioned the excellent chariot between the two armies, O descendant of Bharata.
Verse 1.25
bhīṣmadroṇapramukhataḥ sarveṣāṃ ca mahīkṣitām | uvāca pārtha paśyaitānsamavetānkurūniti ||25||
Before Bhishma, Drona, and all the rulers, Krishna said: Partha, look at these Kurus assembled here.
Verse 1.26
tatrāpaśyatsthitānpārthaḥ pitṝnatha pitāmahān | ācāryānmātulānbhrātṝnputrānpautrānsakhīṃstathā ||26||
There Partha saw fathers and elders, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends standing in the ranks.
Verse 1.27
śvaśurānsuhṛdaścaiva senayorubhayorapi | tānsamīkṣya sa kaunteyaḥ sarvānbandhūnavasthitān ||27||
He also saw fathers-in-law and well-wishers in both armies. Kunti's son surveyed all those relatives standing there.
Verse 1.28
kṛpayā parayāviṣṭo viṣīdannidamabravīt | dṛṣṭvemaṃ svajanaṃ kṛṣṇa yuyutsuṃ samupasthitam ||28||
Overcome by deep compassion and grieving, he spoke: Krishna, seeing these relatives gathered here, eager to fight...
Verse 1.29
sīdanti mama gātrāṇi mukhaṃ ca pariśuṣyati | vepathuśca śarīre me romaharṣaśca jāyate ||29||
My limbs are giving way and my mouth is drying up. My body trembles, and my hair stands on end.
Verse 1.30
gāṇḍīvaṃ sraṃsate hastāttvakcaiva paridahyate | na ca śaknomyavasthātuṃ bhramatīva ca me manaḥ ||30||
Gandiva slips from my hand and my skin burns. I cannot remain standing, and my mind seems to reel.
Verse 1.31
nimittāni ca paśyāmi viparītāni keśava | na ca śreyo'nupaśyāmi hatvā svajanamāhave ||31||
I see adverse omens, Keshava, and I see no good in killing my own people in battle.
Verse 1.32
na kāṅkṣe vijayaṃ kṛṣṇa na ca rājyaṃ sukhāni ca | kiṃ no rājyena govinda kiṃ bhogairjīvitena vā ||32||
I do not desire victory, Krishna, nor a kingdom or pleasures. Govinda, what use is a kingdom to us, or enjoyment, or even life?
Verse 1.33
yeṣāmarthe kāṅkṣitaṃ no rājyaṃ bhogāḥ sukhāni ca | ta ime'vasthitā yuddhe prāṇāṃstyaktvā dhanāni ca ||33||
Those for whose sake we desired a kingdom, enjoyments, and happiness stand here in battle, having put their lives and wealth at risk.
Verse 1.34
ācāryāḥ pitaraḥ putrāstathaiva ca pitāmahāḥ | mātulāḥ śvaśurāḥ pautrāḥ śyālāḥ sambandhinastathā ||34||
Teachers, fathers and elders, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives are among them.
Verse 1.35
etānna hantumicchāmi ghnato'pi madhusūdana | api trailokyarājyasya hetoḥ kiṃ nu mahīkṛte ||35||
Madhusudana, I do not wish to kill them, even if they kill me—not even for sovereignty over the three worlds, much less for the earth.
Verse 1.36
nihatya dhārtarāṣṭrānnaḥ kā prītiḥ syājjanārdana | pāpamevāśrayedasmānhatvaitānātatāyinaḥ ||36||
Janardana, what satisfaction would we gain by killing Dhritarashtra's sons? Sin alone would come upon us if we killed these aggressors.
Verse 1.37
tasmānnārhā vayaṃ hantuṃ dhārtarāṣṭrānsvabāndhavān | svajanaṃ hi kathaṃ hatvā sukhinaḥ syāma mādhava ||37||
Therefore we should not kill Dhritarashtra's sons, our own relatives. Madhava, how could we be happy after killing our own people?
Verse 1.38
yadyapyete na paśyanti lobhopahatacetasaḥ | kulakṣayakṛtaṃ doṣaṃ mitradrohe ca pātakam ||38||
Although their minds, overpowered by greed, do not see the wrong in destroying a family or the sin in betraying friends...
Verse 1.39
kathaṃ na jñeyamasmābhiḥ pāpādasmānnivartitum | kulakṣayakṛtaṃ doṣaṃ prapaśyadbhirjanārdana ||39||
Janardana, since we clearly see the wrong in destroying a family, how could we fail to understand that we should turn away from this sin?
Verse 1.40
kulakṣaye praṇaśyanti kuladharmāḥ sanātanāḥ | dharme naṣṭe kulaṃ kṛtsnamadharmo'bhibhavatyuta ||40||
When a family is destroyed, its longstanding duties and practices perish. Once those duties are lost, wrongdoing overtakes the whole family.
Verse 1.41
adharmābhibhavātkṛṣṇa praduṣyanti kulastriyaḥ | strīṣu duṣṭāsu vārṣṇeya jāyate varṇasaṅkaraḥ ||41||
Krishna, when wrongdoing prevails, the women of the family become corrupted; when the women are corrupted, O descendant of Vrishni, confusion of social lineages arises.
Verse 1.42
saṅkaro narakāyaiva kulaghnānāṃ kulasya ca | patanti pitaro hyeṣāṃ luptapiṇḍodakakriyāḥ ||42||
Such confusion leads both the family-destroyers and their families to hell; their ancestors fall too, because the offerings of food and water cease.
Verse 1.43
doṣairetaiḥ kulaghnānāṃ varṇasaṅkarakārakaiḥ | utsādyante jātidharmāḥ kuladharmāśca śāśvatāḥ ||43||
Through these faults of family-destroyers, which bring about confusion of social lineages, the longstanding duties of communities and families are uprooted.
Verse 1.44
utsannakuladharmāṇāṃ manuṣyāṇāṃ janārdana | narake'niyataṃ vāso bhavatītyanuśuśruma ||44||
Janardana, we have heard that those whose family duties have been destroyed dwell in hell for an indefinite time.
Verse 1.45
aho bata mahatpāpaṃ kartuṃ vyavasitā vayam | yadrājyasukhalobhena hantuṃ svajanamudyatāḥ ||45||
Alas, we have resolved to commit a great sin: driven by greed for the pleasures of kingship, we are ready to kill our own people.
Verse 1.46
yadi māmapratīkāramaśastraṃ śastrapāṇayaḥ | dhārtarāṣṭrā raṇe hanyustanme kṣemataraṃ bhavet ||46||
If Dhritarashtra's sons, armed with weapons, were to kill me in battle while I was unarmed and offered no resistance, that would be better for me.
Verse 1.47
evamuktvārjunaḥ saṅkhye rathopastha upāviśat | visṛjya saśaraṃ cāpaṃ śokasaṃvignamānasaḥ ||47||
Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus on the battlefield, Arjuna sat down in the chariot, putting aside his bow and arrows, his mind overwhelmed by grief.
