Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.21
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Arjuna spoke)
हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते । सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत ॥२१॥
hṛṣīkeśaṃ tadā vākyamidamāha mahīpate | senayorubhayormadhye rathaṃ sthāpaya me'cyuta ||21||
Complete Shloka Translation
O king, Arjuna then said these words to Hrishikesha: Achyuta, place my chariot between the two armies.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| हृषीकेशम् | hṛṣīkeśam | unto Lord Krishna (Lord of senses) |
| तदा | tadā | at that crucial moment |
| वाक्यम् | vākyam | these words |
| इदम् | idam | this |
| आह | āha | spoke |
| महीपते | mahī-pate | O King of the earth (Dhritarashtra) |
| सेनयोः | senayoḥ | of both the armies |
| उभयोः | ubhayoḥ | of the two |
| मध्ये | madhye | right in the middle |
| रथम् | ratham | my chariot |
| स्थापय | sthāpaya | halt and place firmly |
| मे | me | my |
| अच्युत | acyuta | O Infallible Supreme Lord |
unto Lord Krishna (Lord of senses)
at that crucial moment
these words
this
spoke
O King of the earth (Dhritarashtra)
of both the armies
of the two
right in the middle
my chariot
halt and place firmly
my
O Infallible Supreme Lord
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The first half remains Sanjaya's narration to Dhritarashtra; the second begins Arjuna's request. Keeping that boundary visible prevents attributing the entire verse to a single speaking voice.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Arjuna asks for a position from which he can look directly at both armies."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Can I pause to understand both sides of a conflict?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Seeking an Unbiased Vantage Point: Arjuna asks Krishna to place his chariot in the middle of both armies. To make balanced, objective life decisions, step away from partisanship and position yourself in a neutral zone where you can see the complete picture.