Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.26
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Sanjaya said)
तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान् । आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा ॥२६॥
tatrāpaśyatsthitānpārthaḥ pitṝnatha pitāmahān | ācāryānmātulānbhrātṝnputrānpautrānsakhīṃstathā ||26||
Complete Shloka Translation
There Partha saw fathers and elders, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends standing in the ranks.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तत्र | tatra | there on the battlefield |
| अपश्यत् | apaśyat | saw and recognized |
| स्थितान् | sthitān | standing in opposing ranks |
| पार्थः | pārthaḥ | Arjuna |
| पितॄन् | pitṝn | uncles and paternal elders |
| अथ | atha | also |
| पितामहान् | pitāmahān | grandfathers |
| आचार्यान् | ācāryān | teachers and gurus |
| मातुलान् | mātulān | maternal uncles |
| भ्रातॄन् | bhrātṝn | brothers and cousins |
| पुत्रान् | putrān | sons |
| पौत्रान् | pautrān | grandsons |
| सखीन् | sakhīn | beloved friends and comrades |
| तथा | tathā | as well as |
there on the battlefield
saw and recognized
standing in opposing ranks
Arjuna
uncles and paternal elders
also
grandfathers
teachers and gurus
maternal uncles
brothers and cousins
sons
grandsons
beloved friends and comrades
as well as
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The kinship terms describe what Arjuna recognizes across the assembled forces. Fathers need not mean his biological father is alive on the field; the expression includes the elder generation and father-like relations.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The army becomes a gathering of familiar relationships rather than an impersonal opponent."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Who is affected by my decision beyond the immediate task?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
The Complexity of Multi-Role Responsibilities: Arjuna sees fathers, uncles, teachers, and brothers on both sides. In modern life, conflicts of interest between family obligations, professional duties, and personal ethics create excruciating dilemmas that simple rules cannot solve.