1. Arjuna's Dilemma

Arjun Viṣhād Yog

BG 1.2

Sanjaya replied: Upon seeing the army of the Pandavas arrayed for battle, Duryodhana approached his teacher Drona and said these words.

सञ्जय उवाच
दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा
आचार्यमुपसङ्गम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत्


Sanjaya begins narrating events on the battlefield from the perspective of the king's eldest son, Duryodhana. In the Mahabharata, Duryodhana is the leader of the Kauravas - the one hundred sons of the king Dhritarashtra, who are often portrayed as rude, egotistical, and cruel. The five sons of Dhritarashtra's half-brother Pandu are known as the Pandavas, who now stand prepared for battle against them.

The rivalry between the Pandavas and Kauravas goes back to their childhood, when both groups of princes are placed under the tutelage of the esteemed teacher Drona. In the events leading up to the war, Drona is compelled by oath of loyalty to join the war on behalf of Duryodhana, despite his strong condemnation of the abusive behavior toward them at various important points in the Mahabharata story. This verse is setting up a dialog that Duryodhana will have with his teacher, as they stand in formation before the battle begins.

  • sañjaya uvācha — Sanjaya said

  • dṛiṣhṭvā — on seeing

  • tu — on the contrary
    An adversative particle meaning 'but', 'on the other hand', or 'nevertheless'

  • pāṇḍavānīkaṁ — the Pandava army
    Literally means "the many Pandavas", implied to be the large army

  • vyūḍhaṁ — military formation

  • duryodhanastadā — Duryodhan then

    • duryodhana — Duryodhan

    • tadā — then

  • āchāryamupasaṅgamya — approached the teacher

  • rājā — the king

  • vachanamabravīt — spoke these words

Similar verses

Chapter 1, Verse 2