Arjuna Vishada Yoga

धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः । मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ॥1:1॥

O Sanjay, in the sacred land of Kurukshetra, what transpired between my sons and the sons of Pāndu as they assembled, ready for battle? (1:1)

दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा । आचार्यमुपसङ्गम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥1:2॥

Upon observing the Pāndavas' army arrayed in battle formation, Duryodhana approached his mentor, Dronāchārya, and spoke thus: (1:2)

पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम्। व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता ॥ 1:3॥

Esteemed Teacher, behold the formidable army of the Pāndavas, deftly arranged by your skilled pupil, the son of Drupada (Dhrishtadyumna). (1:3)

अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि। युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः ॥ 1:4॥

Among the ranks of the Pāndavas are numerous gallant and renowned warriors and archers such as Yuyudhāna, Virāta, and Drupada, who rival the prowess of Bhima and Arjuna. (1:4)

धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान्। पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गवः ॥ 1:5॥

There are also heroic and brave fighters like Dhrishtaketu, Chekitāna, the King of Kāshi, Purujita, Kuntibhoja, and Shaivya. (1:5)

युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान्। सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथाः ॥ 1:6॥

Alongside them, prominent chariot-warriors such as Yudhāmanyu, Vikrānta, Uttamaujā, Subhadrā's son, and the sons of Draupadi stand ready. (1:6)

अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम। नायका मम सैन्यस्य सञ्ज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते ॥ 1:7॥

Esteemed luminary of our society, allow me to list the names of the most illustrious warrior generals in our army for your enlightenment. (1:7)

भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः। अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ॥ 1:8॥

Prominent among them are yourself (Drona), Bhishma, Karna, and Kripā, with a legacy of triumph in combat, as well as Ashvaththāma, Vikarna, and Somdutta's son. (1:8)

अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः। नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥ 1:9॥

Furthermore, there are numerous skilled combatants, ready to sacrifice their lives, proficient in the art of warfare, armed with formidable weaponry. (1:9)

अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम्। पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् ॥ 1:10॥

While our forces, fortified by Bhishma, (though larger in number) are limited in strength, the army of the sons of Pāndu, bolstered by Bhima, {despite being limited in numerical strength} is formidably equipped. (1:10)

अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः। भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ॥ 1:11॥

I entreat each of you to stand firm in your designated positions and provide protective cover to Bhishma {the commander of our forces}. (1:11)

तस्य सञ्जनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः। सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान् ॥ 1:12॥

The venerable and mighty Bhishma, eldest of the Kuru line, blew his conch with a thunderous lion’s roar, bolstering Duryodhana's spirits. (1:12)

ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः। सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ॥ 1:13॥

Thereafter, the air was filled with the deafening sounds of conch shells, kettledrums, cymbals, tabors, and cowhorns. (1:13)

ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ। माधवः पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदध्मतुः ॥ 1:14॥

Then, aboard their grand chariot pulled by pristine white horses, Mādhava and Arjuna, the son of Pāndu, sounded their splendid conch shells. (1:14)

पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनंजयः। पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः॥ 1:15॥

Hrishikesha played His Pānchjanya conch, Dhananjaya (Arjuna) his Devdutta, while Vrikodara Bhima let out a deep blast from his mighty Paundra conch. (1:15)

अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ॥ 1:16॥

King Yudhishthira, son of Kunti, blew his Anantavijaya, and both Nakula and Sahadeva played their Sughosha and Manipushpaka conches, respectively. (1:16)

काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः। धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः॥ 1:17॥

O King, the exceptional archer and ruler of Kāshi, valiant Shikhandi, Dhrishtadyumna, Virāta, the indomitable Sātyaki, Drupada, Draupadi's sons, and the mighty-armed son of Subhadrā, all sounded their respective conches from every direction. (1:17-18)

द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते। सौभद्रश्च महाबाहुः शंखान्दध्मुः पृथक्पृथक्॥ 1:18॥

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स घोषो धार्तराष्ट्राणां हृदयानि व्यदारयत्। नभश्च पृथिवीं चैव तुमुलो व्यनुनादयन्॥ 1:19॥

The resounding notes of their conches, echoing across the heavens and earth, unnerved the hearts of those in Dhritrāshtra's army. (1:19)

अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान्कपिध्वजः प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः॥1:20॥

Arjuna, son of Pāndu, bearing a flag adorned with Hanumān emblem, drew his bow, readying for combat. As he prepared, his gaze scrutinized the ranks of Dhritarāshtra's sons lined against him. (1:20)

हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते। (पूर्वार्ध)

O King Dhritarāshtra, in that moment, Arjuna addressed Hrishikesha (Bhagawān Krishna) with these words: (1:21, 1st line)

सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत।। 1:21॥ (उत्तरार्ध)

Achyuta, could you guide our chariot to stand between the two armies? (1:21, 2nd line)

यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान्। कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन्रणसमुद्यमे ॥ 1:22 ॥

I want to closely survey the eager warriors assembled here, those with whom I'll be clashing in this combat. (1:22)

योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः। धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः ॥1:23॥

I'm keen to identify all the allies who, driven by their loyalty, have rallied to support the nefarious sons of Dhritarāshtra on this battlefield. (1:23)

एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम् ॥ 1:24 ॥

O, Descendant of Bharata! Responding to the plea of Gudākesha, Hrishikesha (Krishna), the charioteer, strategically stationed the chariot amidst the two confronting armies. (1:24)

भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम्। उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति ॥ 1:25 ॥

In the presence of stalwarts like Bhishma, Drona, and other kings, the Lord directed Arjuna's gaze to the assembled Kurus. (1:25)

तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान्। आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातृन्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा ॥ 1:26 ॥

Upon the battlefield, Arjuna recognized - on both fronts - uncles, grandfathers, mentors, maternal uncles, siblings, offspring, grandsons, companions, fathers-in-law, and benefactors. (1:26)

श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि तान्समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेयः सर्वान्बन्धूनवस्थितान् ॥ 1:27॥

Deep compassion filled his heart {as he witnessed kin ready to shed each other's blood}. This emotional turmoil prompted a dejected Arjuna to speak thus. (1:27; 28, 1st line)

कृपया परयाविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत् ॥ 1:28॥ (पूर्वार्ध)

As I gaze upon my kin, eager for battle, a profound unease grips me: my bodily organs grow languid, my mouth dries up, my body quivers, and a sensation races through my spine. (1:28, 2nd line; 29)

दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम् ॥ 1:28॥ (उत्तरार्ध)

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सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति। वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते ॥ 1:29॥

01:28:00

गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते। न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः ॥ 1:30॥

My famed bow, Gāndiva is slipping from my grasp. My skin feels aflame, and I'm unsteady, with my thoughts in disarray. (1:30)

निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव। न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे॥ 1:31॥

O Keshava! All I perceive are sinister signs. I find no merit in decimating my own kin in this conflict. (1:31)

न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च। किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा ॥ 1:32॥

In such a confrontation, Krishna, I don't seek triumph, nor dominion, nor the joys of sovereignty. What worth is a throne, its accompanying luxuries, or even life itself {when stripped of loved ones}, Govinda? (1:32)

येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च। त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ॥ 1:33॥

Those for whom we covet authority, pleasures, and prosperity stand poised here, prepared to trade their lives and wealth in this war— (1:33)

आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः। मातुलाः श्वशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः सम्बन्धिनस्था ॥ 1:34॥

Teachers, fathers, uncles, sons, elders, uncles, in-laws, grandsons, brothers by marriage, and other kinsmen! (1:34)

एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन। अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते ॥ 1:35॥

Not just the dominion over this Earth, but even the mastery of the cosmos's triad is not enticing enough for me to wish them death. (1:35)

निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन। पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः ॥ 1:36॥

O Janārdana (Krishna)! How could we derive happiness from the annihilation of the Dhritrāshtra clan? Taking the lives of these atrocious beings will only result in sin for us. (1:36)

तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्स्वबान्धवान्। स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव ॥ 1:37॥

Surely, it isn't befitting to extinguish the lives of our kin—the progeny of Dhritarāshtra. How can we find joy in slaying our own kith and kin, O Mādhava (Krishna)? (1:37)

यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम् ॥ 1:38॥

(1:39)

कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम्। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन ॥ 1:39॥

Blinded by greed, they might not see the impending disaster of family extinction nor the harm in betraying allies. But why should we, aware of the aftermath of familial collapse, partake in such heinous actions? (1:38-39)

कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः। धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत ॥ 1:40॥

The dissolution of the clan corrupts familial virtues. whereupon what remains of our lineage may devolve into moral decay. (1:40)

अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः। स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः॥ 1:41॥

O Krishna! As corruption seeps in, the womenfolk may be led astray, resulting in offspring of ambiguous heritage (varna-samkara). (1:41)

सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च। पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः॥ 1:42॥

Such progeny (varna-samkara) send those who have destroyed their clan in war and all others of the clan to hell. They also cause the fall of the spirits of ancestors, as they cease to receive their ceremonial offerings of water and food. (1:42)

दोषैरेतैः कुलघ्नानां वर्णसङ्करकारकैः। उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्माः कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वताः ॥ 1:43॥

Errant actions causing caste mingling disrupt the sacred familial dharma and the revered laws of lineage and caste for those who slay their clansmen. (1:43)

उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन। नरकेऽनियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम ॥ 1:44॥

O Janārdana! We've been told that clans, who let their sacred familial laws be disrupted, languish in infernal realms indefinitely. (1:44)

अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम्। यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः॥ 1:45॥

How sorrowful it is that, in pursuit of royal luxuries, we find ourselves on the brink of committing grievous sins— taking the lives of our own kin! (1:45)

यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः। धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ॥ 1:46॥

If the well-armed sons of Dhritarāshtra were to slay me, unarmed and without a fight on the battlefield, that would be preferable! (1:46)

एवमुक्त्वार्जुनः सङ्ख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्। विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः॥ 1:47॥

After uttering these words, on the battlefield, a despondent Arjuna, burdened by sorrow, laid down his bow and arrows and slumped into the back of his chariot. (1:47)