1. Arjuna's Dilemma

Arjun Viṣhād Yog

BG 1.23

I wish to gaze upon those who have gathered here to please the misguided son of Dhritarashtra.

योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः
धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः

Arjuna is clarifying to Krishna the reason for moving his chariot to a place between the two armies, so he can gaze upon those who have gathered to fight on Duryodhana's side. He characterizes his opponent as durbuddheḥ, which is often translated as "evil-minded", but might be closer to "unintellectual" or "obstinate".

The Sanskrit prefix dur is a depreciative particle that roughly corresponds to the English prefixes "un" and "in", like in "unbearable" or "infamous". The term buddheḥ (बुद्धेः), derived from buddhi (बुद्धि), means "of the intellect". In the Vedic philosophy of consciousness, the intellect (buddhi) is responsible for reasoning, judgement, comprehension, and understanding - something that Duryodhana is indeed incapable of. As such, Arjuna's insult is translated as "misguided", reflecting Duryodhana's moral delusions and unreasonable behavior in the events leading up to the conflict.

  • yotsyamānān — those who will be fighting

  • avekṣhe — let me see

  • ’haṁ — I

  • ya — who

  • ete — those

  • ’tra — here

  • samāgatāḥ — assembled

  • dhārtarāṣhṭrasya — for Dhritarashtra's son

  • durbuddher — evil-minded

    • dur — bad, ill, difficult
      A depreciative particle that corresponds to the English prefixes "in" and "un", like in "unbearable" or "infamous".

      दुर्

    • buddher — intellect
      From buddhi (बुद्धि)

  • yuddhe — in battle

  • priya-chikīrṣhavaḥ — wishing to please

    • priya — dear, beloved, liked

    • chikīrṣhavaḥ — wishing
      Conjugation of cikīrṣā (चिकीर्षा), which is the "desire of doing", "intention", "will"

...1.20

Arjuna said: Place my chariot between the two armies

[21]

so I may have a good look at those with whom I must fight in this great war.

[22]

I wish to gaze upon those who have gathered here to please the misguided son of Dhritarashtra.

[23]

1.24...

Similar verses

Chapter 1, Verse 23