1-The Yoga of the Despondency of Arjuna

Dhritaraashtra Uvaacha:

Dharmakshetre kurukshetre samavetaa yuyutsavah;

Maamakaah paandavaashchaiva kim akurvata sanjaya.(1)

Dhritarashtra said:

What did the sons of Pandu and also my people do when they had assembled together,

eager for battle on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?

Sanjaya Uvaacha:

Drishtwaa tu paandavaaneekam vyudham duryodhanastadaa;

Aachaaryam upasamgamya raajaa vachanam abraveet.(2)

Sanjaya said:

Having seen the army of the Pandavas drawn up in battle array, King Duryodhana then

approached his teacher (Drona) and spoke these words:

Pashyaitaam paanduputraanaam aachaarya mahateem chamoom;

Vyoodhaam drupadaputrena tava shishyena dheemataa.(3)

“Behold, O Teacher, this mighty army of the sons of Pandu, arrayed by the son of

Drupada, thy wise disciple!

Atra shooraa maheshwaasaa bheemaarjunasamaa yudhi;

Yuyudhaano viraatashcha drupadashcha mahaarathah.(4)

“Here are heroes, mighty archers, equal in battle to Bhima and Arjuna, Yuyudhana,

Virata and Drupada, of the great car (mighty warriors),

Dhrishtaketush chekitaanah kaashiraajashcha veeryavaan;

Purujit kuntibhojashcha shaibyashcha narapungavah.(5)

“Drishtaketu, Chekitana and the valiant king of Kasi, Purujit, and Kuntibhoja and Saibya,

the best of men,

Yudhaamanyushcha vikraanta uttamaujaashcha veeryavaan;

Saubhadro draupadeyaashcha sarva eva mahaarathaah.(6)

“The strong Yudhamanyu and the brave Uttamaujas, the son of Subhadra (Abhimanyu,

the son of Arjuna), and the sons of Draupadi, all of great chariots (great heroes).

Asmaakam tu vishishtaa ye taan nibodha dwijottama;

Naayakaah mama sainyasya samjnaartham taan braveemi te.(7)

“Know also, O best among the twice-born, the names of those who are the most

distinguished amongst ourselves, the leaders of my army! These I name to thee for thy information.

Bhavaan bheeshmashcha karnashcha kripashcha samitinjayah;

Ashwatthaamaa vikarnashcha saumadattis tathaiva cha.(8)

“Thyself and Bhishma, and Karna and Kripa, the victorious in war; Asvatthama, Vikarna,

and Jayadratha, the son of Somadatta.

Anye cha bahavah shooraa madarthe tyaktajeevitaah;

Naanaashastrapraharanaah sarve yuddhavishaaradaah.(9)

And also many other heroes who have given up their lives for my sake, armed with

various weapons and missiles, all well skilled in battle.

Aparyaaptam tad asmaakam balam bheeshmaabhirakshitam;

Paryaaptam twidam eteshaam balam bheemaabhirakshitam.(10)

“This army of ours marshalled by Bhishma is insufficient, whereas their army,

marshalled by Bhima, is sufficient.

Ayaneshu cha sarveshu yathaabhaagam avasthitaah;

Bheeshmam evaabhirakshantu bhavantah sarva eva hi.(11)

“Therefore, do ye all, stationed in your respective positions in the several divisions of

the army, protect Bhishma alone”.

Tasya sanjanayan harsham kuruvriddhah pitaamahah;

Simhanaadam vinadyocchaih shankham dadhmau prataapavaan.(12)

His glorious grandsire (Bhishma), the eldest of the Kauravas, in order to cheer

Duryodhana, now roared like a lion and blew his conch.

Tatah shankhaashcha bheryashcha panavaanakagomukhaah;

Sahasaivaabhyahanyanta sa shabdastumulo’bhavat.(13)

Then (following Bhishma), conches and kettle-drums, tabors, drums and cow-horns

blared forth quite suddenly (from the side of the Kauravas); and the sound was tremendous.

Tatah shvetair hayair yukte mahati syandane sthitau;

Maadhavah paandavashchaiva divyau shankhau pradadhmatuh.(14)

Then also, Madhava (Krishna), and the son of Pandu (Arjuna), seated in their

magnificent chariot yoked with white horses, blew their divine conches.

Paanchajanyam hrisheekesho devadattam dhananjayah;

Paundram dadhmau mahaashankham bheemakarmaa vrikodarah.(15)

Hrishikesa blew the “Panchajanya” and Arjuna blew the “Devadatta”, and Bhima, the

doer of terrible deeds, blew the great conch, “Paundra”.

Anantavijayam raajaa kunteeputro yudhishthirah;

Nakulah sahadevashcha sughoshamanipushpakau.(16)

Yudhisthira, the son of Kunti, blew the “Anantavijaya”; and Sahadeva and Nakula blew

the “Manipushpaka” and “Sughosha” conches.

Kaashyashcha parameshwaasah shikhandee cha mahaarathah;

BHAGAVAD GITADhrishtadyumno viraatashcha saatyakishchaaparaajitah.(17)

The king of Kasi, an excellent archer, Sikhandi, the mighty car-warrior, Dhristadyumna

and Virata and Satyaki, the unconquered,

Drupado draupadeyaashcha sarvashah prithiveepate;

Saubhadrashcha mahaabaahuh shankhaan dadhmuh prithak prithak.(18)

Drupada and the sons of Draupadi, O Lord of the Earth, and the son of Subhadra, the

mighty-armed, all blew their respective conches!

Sa ghosho dhaartaraashtraanaam hridayaani vyadaarayat;

Nabhashcha prithiveem chaiva tumulo vyanunaadayan.(19)

The tumultuous sound rent the hearts of Dhritarashtra’s party, making both heaven and

earth resound.

Atha vyavasthitaan drishtwaa dhaartaraashtraan kapidhwajah;

Pravritte shastrasampaate dhanurudyamya paandavah.

Hrisheekesham tadaa vaakyamidamaaha maheepate;(20)

Then, seeing all the people of Dhritarashtra’s party standing arrayed and the discharge

of weapons about to begin, Arjuna, the son of Pandu, whose ensign was that of a monkey, took up his bow and said the following to Krishna, O Lord of the Earth!

Arjuna Uvaacha:

Senayor ubhayormadhye ratham sthaapaya me’chyuta. (21)

Yaavad etaan nireekshe’ham yoddhukaamaan avasthitaan;

Kair mayaa saha yoddhavyam asmin ranasamudyame.(22)

Arjuna said:

In the middle of the two armies, place my chariot, O Krishna, so that I may behold

those who stand here, desirous to fight, and know with whom I must fight when the battle begins.

Yotsyamaanaan avekshe’ham ya ete’tra samaagataah;

Dhaartaraashtrasya durbuddher yuddhe priyachikeershavah.(23)

For I desire to observe those who are assembled here to fight, wishing to please in battle

Duryodhana, the evil-minded.

Sanjaya Uvaacha:

Evamukto hrisheekesho gudaakeshena bhaarata;

Senayor ubhayormadhye sthaapayitwaa rathottamam.(24)

Sanjaya said:

Being thus addressed by Arjuna, Lord Krishna, having stationed that best of chariots, O

Dhritarashtra, in the midst of the two armies,

Bheeshmadronapramukhatah sarveshaam cha maheekshitaam;

Uvaacha paartha pashyaitaan samavetaan kuroon iti.(25)

In front of Bhishma and Drona and all the rulers of the earth, said: “O Arjuna, behold

now all these Kurus gathered together!”

Tatraapashyat sthitaan paarthah pitrin atha pitaamahaan;

Aachaaryaan maatulaan bhraatrun putraan pautraan sakheemstathaa.(26)

Then Arjuna beheld there stationed, grandfathers and fathers, teachers, maternal uncles,

brothers, sons, grandsons and friends, too.

Shvashuraan suhridashchaiva senayorubhayorapi;

Taan sameekshya sa kaunteyah sarvaan bandhoon avasthitaan.

Kripayaa parayaa’vishto visheedannidam abraveet;(27)

(He saw) fathers-in-law and friends also in both armies. The son of

Kunti—Arjuna—seeing all these kinsmen standing arrayed, spoke thus sorrowfully, filled with

deep pity.

Arjuna Uvaacha:

Drishtwemam swajanam krishna yuyutsum samupasthitam.(28)

Arjuna said:

Seeing these, my kinsmen, O Krishna, arrayed, eager to fight,

Seedanti mama gaatraani mukham cha parishushyati;

Vepathushcha shareere me romaharshashcha jaayate.(29)

 My limbs fail and my mouth is parched up, my body quivers and my hairs stand on end!

Gaandeevam sramsate hastaat twak chaiva paridahyate;

Na cha shaknomyavasthaatum bhramateeva cha me manah.(30)

The (bow) “Gandiva” slips from my hand and my skin burns all over; I am unable even

to stand, my mind is reeling, as it were.

Nimittaani cha pashyaami vipareetaani keshava;

Na cha shreyo’nupashyaami hatwaa swajanam aahave.(31)

 And I see adverse omens, O Kesava! I do not see any good in killing my kinsmen in

battle.

Na kaangkshe vijayam krishna na cha raajyam sukhaani cha;

Kim no raajyena govinda kim bhogair jeevitena vaa.(32)

 For I desire neither victory, O Krishna, nor pleasures nor kingdoms! Of what avail is a

dominion to us, O Krishna, or pleasures or even life?

Yeshaam arthe kaangkshitam no raajyam bhogaah sukhaani cha;

Ta ime’vasthitaa yuddhe praanaamstyaktwaa dhanaani cha.(33)

Those for whose sake we desire kingdoms, enjoyments and pleasures, stand here in

battle, having renounced life and wealth.

Aachaaryaah pitarah putraastathaiva cha pitaamahaah;

Maatulaah shwashuraah pautraah shyaalaah sambandhinas tathaa.(34)

Teachers, fathers, sons and also grandfathers, grandsons, fathers-in-law, maternal

uncles, brothers-in-law and relatives,—

Etaan na hantum icchaami ghnato’pi madhusoodana;

Api trailokya raajyasya hetoh kim nu maheekrite.(35)

These I do not wish to kill, though they kill me, O Krishna, even for the sake of dominion

over the three worlds, leave alone killing them for the sake of the earth!

Nihatya dhaartaraashtraan nah kaa preetih syaaj janaardana;

Paapam evaashrayed asmaan hatwaitaan aatataayinah.(36)

By killing these sons of Dhritarashtra, what pleasure can be ours, O Janardana? Only sin

will accrue by killing these felons.

Tasmaan naarhaa vayam hantum dhaartaraashtraan swabaandhavaan;

Swajanam hi katham hatwaa sukhinah syaama maadhava.(37)

Therefore, we should not kill the sons of Dhritarashtra, our relatives; for, how can we be

happy by killing our own people, O Madhava (Krishna)?

Yadyapyete na pashyanti lobhopahatachetasah;

Kulakshayakritam dosham mitradrohe cha paatakam.(38)

 Though they, with intelligence overpowered by greed, see no evil in the destruction of

families, and no sin in hostility to friends,

Katham na jneyam asmaabhih paapaad asmaan nivartitum;

Kulakshayakritam dosham prapashyadbhir janaardana.(39)

 Why should not we, who clearly see evil in the destruction of a family, learn to turn

away from this sin, O Janardana (Krishna)?

Kulakshaye pranashyanti kuladharmaah sanaatanaah;

Dharme nashte kulam kritsnam adharmo’bhibhavatyuta.(40)

In the destruction of a family, the immemorial religious rites of that family perish; on the

destruction of spirituality, impiety overcomes the whole family.

Adharmaabhibhavaat krishna pradushyanti kulastriyah;

Streeshu dushtaasu vaarshneya jaayate varnasankarah.(41)

By prevalence of impiety, O Krishna, the women of the family become corrupt and,

women becoming corrupted, O Varsneya (descendant of Vrishni), there arises intermingling of

castes!

Sankaro narakaayaiva kulaghnaanaam kulasya cha;

Patanti pitaro hyeshaam luptapindodakakriyaah.(42)

Confusion of castes leads to hell the slayers of the family, for their forefathers fall,

deprived of the offerings of rice-ball and water.

Doshair etaih kulaghnaanaam varnasankarakaarakaih;

Utsaadyante jaatidharmaah kuladharmaashcha shaashwataah.(43)

By these evil deeds of the destroyers of the family, which cause confusion of castes, the

eternal religious rites of the caste and the family are destroyed.

Utsannakuladharmaanaam manushyaanaam janaardana;

Narake’niyatam vaaso bhavateetyanushushruma.(44)

We have heard, O Janardana, that inevitable is the dwelling for an unknown period in

hell for those men in whose families the religious practices have been destroyed!

Aho bata mahat paapam kartum vyavasitaa vayam;

Yadraajya sukhalobhena hantum swajanam udyataah.(45)

 Alas! We are involved in a great sin in that we are prepared to kill our kinsmen through

greed for the pleasures of a kingdom.

Yadi maam aprateekaaram ashastram shastrapaanayah;

Dhaartaraashtraa rane hanyus tanme kshemataram bhavet.(46)

If the sons of Dhritarashtra, with weapons in hand, should slay me in battle, unresisting

and unarmed, that would be better for me.

Sanjaya Uvaacha:

Evamuktwaa’rjunah sankhye rathopastha upaavishat;

Visrijya sasharam chaapam shokasamvignamaanasah.(47)

Sanjaya said:

Having thus spoken in the midst of the battlefield, Arjuna, casting away his bow and

arrow, sat down on the seat of the chariot with his mind overwhelmed with sorrow.

Hari Om Tat Sat

Iti Srimad Bhagavadgeetaasoopanishatsu Brahmavidyaayaam

Yogashaastre Sri Krishnaarjunasamvaade

Arjunavishaadayogo Naama Prathamo’dhyaayah.

Thus in the Upanishads of the glorious Bhagavad Gita, the science of the Eternal, the scripture of Yoga, the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, ends the first discourse entitled:

The great Mahabharata war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas took place on the holy plain of Kurukshetra. After the failure of Lord Krishna’s peace mission, when He Himself went to Hastinapura as the emissary of the Pandavas, there was no other alternative for the Pandavas but to engage in war for their rightful share of the kingdom.

All the famous warriors from both sides had assembled on the battlefield. Tents and wagons, weapons and machines, chariots and animals covered the vast plain. Lord Krishna arrived on the scene in a magnificent chariot yoked by white horses. He was to act as the charioteer of Arjuna, one of the Pandava princes. The din of hundreds of conches, blaring forth suddenly, announced the commencement of the battle. Arjuna blew his conch “Devadatta”, while Bhima, his brother, sounded the “Paundra”.

All the other great warriors blew their respective conches. As the two armies were arrayed, ready for battle, Arjuna requested Krishna to place his chariot between them so that he might survey his opponents. He was bewildered by the scene before him, for he beheld on both sides, fathers and grandfathers, teachers and uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, relatives and comrades.

Confusion reigned in Arjuna’s mind. Should he participate in this terrible carnage? Was it proper to destroy one’s relatives for the sake of a kingdom and some pleasures? Would it not be much better for him to surrender everything in favour of his enemies and retire in peace? As these thoughts rushed into his mind, a feeling of despondency overtook Arjuna. He had no enthusiasm to engage in this battle. Letting his bow slip from his hands, Arjuna could do nothing but turn to Lord Krishna for guidance and enlightenment.

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