Chapter 1 Verse 1
Arjun Viṣhād Yog
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः। मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय।।1.1।।
dhṛitarāśhtra uvācha dharma-kṣhetre kuru-kṣhetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāśhchaiva kimakurvata sañjaya
Word Meanings
| dhṛitarāśhtraḥ uvācha | Dhritarashtra said |
| dharma-kṣhetre | the land of dharma |
| kuru-kṣhetre | at Kurukshetra |
| samavetāḥ | having gathered |
| yuyutsavaḥ | desiring to fight |
| māmakāḥ | my sons |
| pāṇḍavāḥ | the sons of Pandu |
| cha | and |
| eva | certainly |
| kim | what |
| akurvata | did they do |
| sañjaya | Sanjay |
Translation
Dhritarashtra asked: “O Sanjaya, when my sons and the sons of Pandu gathered at Kurukshetra, the sacred field of dharma, eager to fight, what did they do?”
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This opening verse sets the scene: a great gathering at Kurukshetra, called the "field of dharma," where two sides stand ready to fight. Dhritarashtra asks Sanjaya to tell him what happened, showing his anxiety and his need to know the truth through another.
The verse points to a deeper theme: when duty and desire meet, a clear view is needed. The battlefield is both literal and symbolic — a place where our true motives and choices are revealed. Asking for an honest report reminds us that wisdom often comes from stepping back and seeing clearly, not from acting out of fear or attachment.
Life Application
- When you face a tough choice, pause and name what duty and desire are asking of you before you act.
- Keep someone or something (a friend, mentor, journal, or quiet practice) that helps you see the situation clearly.
- Treat every conflict as a chance to learn about your own motives and grow, rather than only as a win-or-lose struggle.
Reflection Question
Where in my life am I preparing for a "battle" that needs clearer seeing before I act?