Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.20
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Sanjaya said)
अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान्कपिध्वजः । प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः ॥२०॥
atha vyavasthitāndṛṣṭvā dhārtarāṣṭrānkapidhvajaḥ | pravṛtte śastrasampāte dhanurudyamya pāṇḍavaḥ ||20||
Complete Shloka Translation
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.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अथ | atha | thereupon / at that critical junction |
| व्यवस्थितान् | vyavasthitān | stationed in tactical battle arrays |
| दृष्ट्वा | dṛṣṭvā | having observed |
| धार्तराष्ट्रान् | dhārtarāṣṭrān | the hostile Kaurava host |
| कपिध्वजः | kapi-dhvajaḥ | Arjuna (whose banner bears Lord Hanuman) |
| प्रवृत्ते | pravṛtte | on the verge of commencing |
| शस्त्रसम्पाते | śastra-sampāte | the lethal discharge of weapons |
| धनुः | dhanuḥ | the invincible Gandiva bow |
| उद्यम्य | udyamya | lifting up ready to draw |
| पाण्डवः | pāṇḍavaḥ | Arjuna the son of Pandu |
thereupon / at that critical junction
stationed in tactical battle arrays
having observed
the hostile Kaurava host
Arjuna (whose banner bears Lord Hanuman)
on the verge of commencing
the lethal discharge of weapons
the invincible Gandiva bow
lifting up ready to draw
Arjuna the son of Pandu
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The bow raised here contrasts with the bow he puts aside at the chapter's end. Sanjaya's sentence continues into the next verse, where Arjuna addresses Krishna.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Arjuna is initially prepared to act as a warrior."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Before acting, what do I still need to see clearly?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Taking a Deliberate Pause Before Irreversible Action: As arrows are about to fly, Arjuna raises his bow but stops to reflect. Before sending an angry email, signing an irreversible contract, or launching conflict, hit pause and inspect reality clearly.