Chapter 1 Verse 21-22
Arjun Viṣhād Yog
अर्जुन उवाच हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत।।1.21।। यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान्। कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन्रणसमुद्यमे।।1.22।।
arjuna uvācha senayor ubhayor madhye rathaṁ sthāpaya me ’chyuta yāvadetān nirīkṣhe ’haṁ yoddhu-kāmān avasthitān kairmayā saha yoddhavyam asmin raṇa-samudyame
Word Meanings
| arjunaḥ uvācha | Arjun said |
| senayoḥ | armies |
| ubhayoḥ | both |
| madhye | in the middle |
| ratham | chariot |
| sthāpaya | place |
| me | my |
| achyuta | Shree Krishna, the infallible One |
| yāvat | as many as |
| etān | these |
| nirīkṣhe | look |
| aham | I |
| yoddhu-kāmān | for the battle |
| avasthitān | arrayed |
| kaiḥ | with whom |
| mayā | by me |
| saha | together |
| yoddhavyam | must fight |
| asmin | in this |
| raṇa-samudyame | great combat |
Translation
Arjuna said, "O Krishna, place my chariot in the middle between the two armies, so that I may behold those who stand here, desirous to fight, and know with whom I must fight when the battle is about to commence." Arjuna said, "O Krishna, place my chariot in the middle between the two armies, so that I may behold those who stand here, desirous to fight, and know with whom I must fight when the battle is about to commence."
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Arjuna asks Krishna to place his chariot between the two armies so he can clearly see who stands on each side. This is a call for calm observation before entering a difficult action. He wants to know exactly whom he must fight and why.
Standing “in the middle” suggests taking a neutral, steady view rather than rushing in from fear or anger. It also shows the need for inner guidance: Arjuna turns to Krishna for help in seeing the true picture and understanding his duty.
The verse points to a deeper fight—not only with others but with doubt, attachment, and confusion. Before any important action, clarity about who or what you are confronting is essential.
Life Application
- Pause and step back when a conflict or big choice arises; look at all sides before deciding.
- Seek a calm, neutral viewpoint or trusted guide to help you see motives and consequences.
- Ask whether the real struggle is external (people, situation) or internal (fear, pride, attachment) and act accordingly.
Reflection Question
Who am I really facing in this situation—another person, their view, or my own fear and attachment?