Chapter 1 Verse 26
Arjun Viṣhād Yog
तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितृ़नथ पितामहान्। आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातृ़न्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा।।1.26।।
tatrāpaśhyat sthitān pārthaḥ pitṝīn atha pitāmahān āchāryān mātulān bhrātṝīn putrān pautrān sakhīṁs tathā śhvaśhurān suhṛidaśh chaiva senayor ubhayor api
Word Meanings
| tatra | there |
| apaśhyat | saw |
| sthitān | stationed |
| pārthaḥ | Arjun |
| pitṝīn | fathers |
| atha | thereafter |
| pitāmahān | grandfathers |
| āchāryān | teachers |
| mātulān | maternal uncles |
| bhrātṝīn | brothers |
| putrān | sons |
| pautrān | grandsons |
| sakhīn | friends |
| tathā | also |
| śhvaśhurān | fathers-in-law |
| suhṛidaḥ | well-wishers |
| cha | and |
| eva | indeed |
| senayoḥ | armies |
| ubhayoḥ | in both armies |
| api | also |
Translation
Then, Arjuna (son of Pritha) saw there (in the armies) stationed fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Arjuna sees his relatives, teachers, and friends on both sides of the battlefield. This moment shows how close ties and personal relationships make moral choices painful and confusing.
Spiritually, the verse points to how attachment and identification with people can cloud our judgment. Seeing loved ones as opponents brings up compassion, fear, and grief that challenge one’s sense of duty and clarity.
Life Application
- When a decision affects people you care about, pause and name the emotions you feel before acting. This brings clarity.
- Balance duty with compassion: act from your deeper values, not from anger or fear caused by attachments.
- Talk gently and seek options that reduce harm when possible; clear communication can ease conflict.
Reflection Question
Who in my life most affects my choices when I feel torn, and why?