Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.22
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Arjuna spoke)
यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान् । कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन्रणसमुद्यमे ॥२२॥
yāvadetānnirīkṣe'haṃ yoddhukāmānavasthitān | kairmayā saha yoddhavyamasminraṇasamudyame ||22||
Complete Shloka Translation
Let me observe those who stand here wishing to fight, and see with whom I must contend in this undertaking of battle.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यावत् | yāvat | until / so that |
| एतान् | etān | all of these warriors |
| निरीक्षे | nirīkṣe | I may observe and inspect carefully |
| अहम् | aham | I |
| योद्धुकामान् | yoddhu-kāmān | eager and thirsting for battle |
| अवस्थितान् | avasthitān | standing ready in ranks |
| कैः | kaiḥ | with whom |
| मया | mayā | by me |
| सह | saha | along with / against |
| योद्धव्यम् | yoddhavyam | is battle to be waged |
| अस्मिन् | asmin | in this |
| रणसमुद्यमे | raṇa-samudyame | colossal undertaking of war |
until / so that
all of these warriors
I may observe and inspect carefully
I
eager and thirsting for battle
standing ready in ranks
with whom
by me
along with / against
is battle to be waged
in this
colossal undertaking of war
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
This gives the purpose of placing the chariot between the armies. The inspection begins as a practical request, but seeing those faces will transform his understanding of what the conflict entails.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Arjuna wants to see the people involved before entering the fight."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Am I responding to actual people or to an image I have formed of them?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Due Diligence: Inspecting the Real Players: Arjuna wishes to observe who stands eager to fight. Never enter legal battles, joint ventures, or negotiations without knowing the true motivations and profiles of all stakeholders involved.