Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.27
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Sanjaya said)
श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि । तान्समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेयः सर्वान्बन्धूनवस्थितान् ॥२७॥
śvaśurānsuhṛdaścaiva senayorubhayorapi | tānsamīkṣya sa kaunteyaḥ sarvānbandhūnavasthitān ||27||
Complete Shloka Translation
He also saw fathers-in-law and well-wishers in both armies. Kunti's son surveyed all those relatives standing there.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| श्वशुरान् | śvaśurān | fathers-in-law |
| सुहृदः | suhṛdaḥ | intimate well-wishers |
| च एव | ca eva | and also |
| सेनयोः | senayoḥ | in the armies |
| उभयोः अपि | ubhayoḥ api | of both sides indeed |
| तान् | tān | all of them |
| समीक्ष्य | samīkṣya | having surveyed and deeply inspected |
| सः | saḥ | he |
| कौन्तेयः | kaunteyaḥ | Arjuna, son of Kunti |
| सर्वान् | sarvān | all without exception |
| बन्धून् | bandhūn | kin and relatives |
| अवस्थितान् | avasthitān | stationed face to face |
fathers-in-law
intimate well-wishers
and also
in the armies
of both sides indeed
all of them
having surveyed and deeply inspected
he
Arjuna, son of Kunti
all without exception
kin and relatives
stationed face to face
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The explicit mention of both armies makes the family division central to the scene. The sentence about observing his relatives continues into the compassion and sorrow described next.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Arjuna recognizes that the conflict reaches people he cares about on both sides."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Can I recognize relationships across the boundary of my own side?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Emotional Attachment Clouds Strategic Clarity: Seeing relatives in both armies triggers overwhelming compassion in Arjuna. While empathy is noble, unexamined emotional attachment paralyzes executive function and ethical duty.