CHAPTER ONE
ARJUNA-VIŚĀDA-YOGA
THE LAMENTATION OF ARJUNA
VERSE 1: DHṚTARĀṢṬRA’S ENQUIRY
1.1 Dhṛtarāṣṭra says: O Sañjaya, after they gathered on the holy field of Kurukṣetra, being eager for battle, what did my sons and the Pāṇḍavas do?
VERSES 2-13: THE WARRIORS ARE INTRODUCED
1.2 Sañjaya says: O king! Duryodhana, seeing the Pāṇḍavas’ army in military formation, approached his teacher, Droṇa, and said these words:
VERSES 14-20: KṚṢṆA IS INTRODUCED; THE CONCHES ARE BLOWING
1.14 Then Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, stationed in their great chariot drawn by white horses, blew their divine conches.
1.19 That tumultuous uproar, resounding through heaven and Earth, rent the hearts of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons.
VERSES 21-24: BETWEEN THE TWO ARMIES
1.21-22 And he spoke, O king, these words to Śrī Kṛṣṇa …
Arjuna says: O Kṛṣṇa, station my chariot between the two armies. I wish to look at those who are present here and know exactly who I have to fight in this great battle.
VERSES 25–47: ARJUNA REFUSES TO FIGHT
1.26-30 Arjuna sees the people he has to fight and he’s overcome by weakness
1.36 If we kill the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, what joy will be ours, O Kṛṣṇa? Sin alone will stain us if we kill these aggressors.
1.45 Alas! We have resolved to commit a great crime, in that we are ready to slay our own family just to rule and enjoy the pleasures of a kingdom.
1.47 Sañjaya says: Having spoken these words on the battlefield, Arjuna threw aside his bow and arrows, and sat down on the seat of his chariot, his heart overwhelmed with grief.