Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 1, Verse 20
Sanskrit:
अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान् कपिध्वजः । प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः । हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते ॥ १-२०॥
Translation:
atha vyavasthitan drstva dhartarastran kapidhvajah pravritte sastrasampaate dhanur udyamya pandavah hrisikesam tada vakyami damaah mahipate || 1-20 ||
Meaning:
Seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra (Kauravas) arrayed in battle formation, Arjuna, the one with the monkey banner (referring to Hanuman on his chariot), took up his bow. O king (referring to Dhritarashtra), at that moment, the Pandava (Arjuna) spoke these words to Hrishikesha (Krishna).
Key Points:
- The verse sets the stage for the beginning of the Bhagavad Gita.
- Arjuna sees the Kaurava army ready for battle and becomes overwhelmed.
- He picks up his bow, signifying his readiness to fight.
- Arjuna addresses Krishna using the name Hrishikesha, which means “Lord of the Senses.”
- The verse introduces the impending conflict between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
