Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga
The Yoga of Arjuna’s Despondency
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Verse 1.1
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca
dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ |
māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāś caiva kim akurvata sañjaya ||1||
dhritarashtra uvacha
dharmakshetre kurukshetre samaveta yuyutsavah |
mamakah pandavash chaiva kim akurvata sanjaya ||1||
Translation: Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, after my sons and the sons of Pandu gathered in the place of pilgrimage at Kurukshetra, desiring to fight, what did they do?
Verse 1.2
sañjaya uvāca
dṛṣṭvā tu pāṇḍavānīkaṁ vyūḍhaṁ duryodhanas tadā |
ācāryam upasaṅgamya rājā vacanam abravīt ||2||
sanjaya uvacha
drishtva tu pandavanikam vyudhan duryodhanas tada |
acharyam upasangamya raja vachanam abravit ||2||
Translation: Sanjaya said: At that time, seeing the army of the Pandavas drawn up for battle, King Duryodhana approached his teacher (Dronacharya) and spoke these words.
Verse 1.3
paśyaitāṁ pāṇḍu-putrāṇām ācārya mahatīṁ camūm |
vyūḍhāṁ drupada-putreṇa tava śiṣyeṇa dhīmatā ||3||
pashyaitam pandu-putranam acharya mahatin chamum |
vyudhan drupada-putrena tava shishyena dhimata ||3||
Translation: O teacher, behold this great army of the sons of Pandu, arranged in a military phalanx by your intelligent disciple, the son of Drupada.
Verse 1.4
atra śūrā maheṣvāsā bhīmārjuna-samā yudhi |
yuyudhāno virāṭaś ca drupadaś ca mahā-rathaḥ ||4||
atra shura maheshvasa bhimarjuna-sama yudhi |
yuyudhano viratash cha drupadash cha maha-rathah ||4||
Translation: Here in this army are heroic bowmen equal in battle to Bhima and Arjuna: Yuyudhana (Satyaki), Virata, and the great chariot warrior Drupada.
Verse 1.5
dhṛṣṭaketuś cekitānaḥ kāśirājaś ca vīryavān |
purujit kuntibhojaś ca śaibyaś ca nara-puṅgavaḥ ||5||
dhrishtaketush chekitanah kashirajash cha viryavan |
purujit kuntibhojash cha shaibyash cha nara-pungavah ||5||
Translation: Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, the valiant King of Kashi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Shaibya, the best among men.
Verse 1.6
yudhāmanyuś ca vikrānta uttamaujāś ca vīryavān |
saubhadro draupadeyāś ca sarva eva mahā-rathāḥ ||6||
yudhamanyush cha vikranta uttamaujash cha viryavan |
saubhadro draupadeyash cha sarva eva maha-rathah ||6||
Translation: The mighty Yudhamanyu, the valiant Uttamauja, the son of Subhadra (Abhimanyu), and the sons of Draupadi—all of them are great chariot warriors.
Verse 1.7
asmākaṁ tu viśiṣṭā ye tān nibodha dvijottama |
nāyakā mama sainyasya sañjñārthaṁ tān bravīmi te ||7||
asmakan tu vishishta ye tan nibodha dvijottama |
nayaka mama sainyasya sanjnarthan tan bravimi te ||7||
Translation: O best of the twice-born (Brahmins), now be informed about those who are the most distinguished among us, the leaders of my army. I shall name them for your information.
Verse 1.8
bhavān bhīṣmaś ca karṇaś ca kṛpaś ca samitiñjayaḥ |
aśvatthāmā vikarṇaś ca saumadattis tathaiva ca ||8||
bhavan bhishmash cha karnash cha kripash cha samitinjayah |
ashvatthama vikarnash cha saumadattis tathaiva cha ||8||
Translation: Yourself, Bhishma, Karna, and Kripa, who is ever victorious in battle; as well as Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and the son of Somadatta (Bhurishrava).
Verse 1.9
anye ca bahavaḥ śūrā mad-arthe tyakta-jīvitāḥ |
nānā-śastra-praharaṇāḥ sarve yuddha-viśāradāḥ ||9||
anye cha bahavah shura mad-arthe tyakta-jivitah |
nana-shastra-praharanah sarve yuddha-visharadah ||9||
Translation: And there are many other heroes who are ready to give up their lives for my sake. They are equipped with various kinds of weapons and are all skilled in the art of warfare.
Verse 1.10
aparyāptaṁ tad asmākaṁ balaṁ bhīṣmābhirakṣitam |
paryāptaṁ tv idam eteṣāṁ balaṁ bhīmābhirakṣitam ||10||
aparyaptan tad asmakam balam bhishmabhirakshitam |
paryaptan tv idam etesham balam bhimabhirakshitam ||10||
Translation: Our army, protected by Bhishma, is unlimited, whereas their army, protected by Bhima, is limited.
Verse 1.11
ayaneṣu ca sarveṣu yathā-bhāgam avasthitāḥ |
bhīṣmam evābhirakṣantu bhavantaḥ sarva eva hi ||11||
ayaneshu cha sarveshu yatha-bhagam avasthitah |
bhishmam evabhirakshantu bhavantah sarva eva hi ||11||
Translation: Therefore, all of you, stationed in your respective positions at all strategic points, must protect Grandfather Bhishma alone.
Verse 1.12
tasya sañjanayan harṣaṁ kuru-vṛddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ |
siṁha-nādaṁ vinadyoccaiḥ śaṅkhaṁ dadhmau pratāpavān ||12||
tasya sanjanayan harshan kuru-vriddhah pitamahah |
simha-nadam vinadyochchaih shankhan dadhmau pratapavan ||12||
Translation: Then the valiant grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, the oldest of the Kurus (Bhishma), roaring loudly like a lion, blew his conch shell, increasing Duryodhana’s joy.
Verse 1.13
tataḥ śaṅkhāś ca bheryaś ca paṇavānaka-gomukhāḥ |
sahasaivābhyahanyanta sa śabdastumulo ’bhavat ||13||
tatah shankhash cha bheryash cha panavanaka-gomukhah |
sahasaivabhyahanyanta sa shabdastumulo ’bhavat ||13||
Translation: After that, conches, kettledrums, bugles, trumpets, and horns all suddenly sounded together. That sound was tremendous.
Verse 1.14
tataḥ śvetair hayair yukte mahati syandane sthitau |
mādhavaḥ pāṇḍavaś caiva divyau śaṅkhau pradadhmatuḥ ||14||
tatah shvetair hayair yukte mahati syandane sthitau |
madhavah pandavash chaiva divyau shankhau pradadhmatuh ||14||
Translation: Then, seated in a magnificent chariot yoked with white horses, Madhava (Krishna) and the son of Pandu (Arjuna) blew their celestial conches.
Verse 1.15
pāñcajanyaṁ hṛṣīkeśo devadattaṁ dhanañjayaḥ |
pauṇḍraṁ dadhmau mahā-śaṅkhaṁ bhīma-karmā vṛkodaraḥ ||15||
panchajanyam hrishikesho devadattan dhananjayah |
paundran dadhmau maha-shankham bhima-karma vrikodarah ||15||
Translation: Hrishikesha (Krishna) blew His conch called Panchajanya; Dhananjaya (Arjuna) blew his, the Devadatta; and he of terrifying deeds, Bhima, blew his great conch called Paundra.
Verse 1.16
anantavijayaṁ rājā kuntī-putro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca sughoṣa-maṇipuṣpakau ||16||
anantavijayam raja kunti-putro yudhishthirah |
nakulah sahadevash cha sughosha-manipushpakau ||16||
Translation: King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, blew his conch named Anantavijaya, while Nakula and Sahadeva blew the Sughosha and Manipushpaka.
Verse 1.17
kāśyaś ca parameṣvāsaḥ śikhaṇḍī ca mahā-rathaḥ |
dhṛṣṭadyumno virāṭaś ca sātyakiś cāparājitaḥ ||17||
kashyash cha parameshvasah shikhandi cha maha-rathah |
dhrishtadyumno viratash cha satyakish chaparajitah ||17||
Translation: The great archer King of Kashi, the great chariot warrior Shikhandi, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, the invincible Satyaki…
Verse 1.18
drupado draupadeyāś ca sarvaśaḥ pṛthivīpate |
saubhadraś ca mahā-bāhuḥ śaṅkhān dadhmuḥ pṛthak pṛthak ||18||
drupado draupadeyash cha sarvashah prithivipate |
saubhadrash cha maha-bahuh shankhan dadhmuh prithak prithak ||18||
Translation: O Lord of the earth! Drupada, the sons of Draupadi, and the mighty-armed son of Subhadra (Abhimanyu), all in their respective positions, blew their separate conches.
Verse 1.19
sa ghoṣo dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṁ hṛdayāni vyadārayat |
nabhaś ca pṛthivīṁ caiva tumulo vyanunādayan ||19||
sa ghosho dhartarashtranam hridayani vyadarayat |
nabhash cha prithivin chaiva tumulo vyanunadayan ||19||
Translation: That terrible sound, echoing through the heaven and the earth, shattered the hearts of the sons of Dhritarashtra.
Verse 1.20
atha vyavasthitān dṛṣṭvā dhārtarāṣṭrān kapi-dhvajaḥ |
pravṛtte śastra-sampāte dhanur udyamya pāṇḍavaḥ |
hṛṣīkeśaṁ tadā vākyam idam āha mahīpate ||20||
atha vyavasthitan drishtva dhartarashtran kapi-dhvajah |
pravritte shastra-sampate dhanur udyamya pandavah |
hrishikeshan tada vakyam idam aha mahipate ||20||
Translation: O King, at that time, Arjuna, the son of Pandu, whose chariot flag bore the emblem of Hanuman, seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra arrayed against him and the clash of weapons about to begin, took up his bow and spoke these words to Hrishikesha (Krishna).
Verses 1.21–22
arjuna uvāca
senayor ubhayor madhye rathaṁ sthāpaya me ’cyuta ||21||
arjuna uvacha
senayor ubhayor madhye ratham sthapaya me ’chyuta ||21||
yāvad etān nirīkṣe ’haṁ yoddhu-kāmān avasthitān |
kair mayā saha yoddhavyam asmin raṇa-samudyame ||22||
yavad etan nirikshe ’ham yoddhu-kaman avasthitan |
kair maya saha yoddhavyam asmin rana-samudyame ||22||
Translation: Arjuna said: O Infallible One (Krishna), please place my chariot between both armies so that I may behold those present here desiring to fight, and know with whom I must contend in this great enterprise of battle.
Verse 1.23
yotsyamānān avekṣe ’haṁ ya ete ’tra samāgatāḥ |
dhārtarāṣṭrasya durbuddher yuddhe priya-cikīrṣavaḥ ||23||
yotsyamanan avekshe ’ham ya ete ’tra samagatah |
dhartarashtrasya durbuddher yuddhe priya-chikirshavah ||23||
Translation: Let me see those who have gathered here ready to fight, wishing to please the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra (Duryodhana) in battle.
Verse 1.24
sañjaya uvāca
evam ukto hṛṣīkeśo guḍākeśena bhārata |
senayor ubhayor madhye sthāpayitvā rathottamam ||24||
sanjaya uvacha
evam ukto hrishikesho gudakeshena bharata |
senayor ubhayor madhye sthapayitva rathottamam ||24||
Translation: Sanjaya said: O descendant of Bharata, having been addressed in this way by Gudakesha (Arjuna), Hrishikesha (Krishna) drew up the fine chariot in the midst of the armies of both parties.
Verse 1.25
bhīṣma-droṇa-pramukhataḥ sarveṣāṁ ca mahīkṣitām |
uvāca pārtha paśyaitān samavetān kurūn iti ||25||
bhishma-drona-pramukhatah sarveshan cha mahikshitam |
uvacha partha pashyaitan samavetan kurun iti ||25||
Translation: In the presence of Bhishma, Drona, and all the rulers of the earth, He said: O Partha, behold these Kurus assembled here.
Verse 1.26
tatrāpaśyat sthitān pārthaḥ pitṝn atha pitāmahān |
ācāryān mātulān bhrātṝn putrān pautrān sakhīṁs tathā ||26||
tatrapashyat sthitan parthah pitrin atha pitamahan |
acharyan matulan bhratrin putran pautran sakhims tatha ||26||
Translation: There Partha (Arjuna) saw stationed in both armies grandfathers, fathers-in-law, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends.
Verse 1.27
śvaśurān suhṛdaś caiva senayor ubhayor api |
tān samīkṣya sa kaunteyaḥ sarvān bandhūn avasthitān ||27||
shvashuran suhridash chaiva senayor ubhayor api |
tan samikshya sa kaunteyah sarvan bandhun avasthitan ||27||
Translation: He saw fathers-in-law and well-wishers in both armies. Seeing all these relatives arrayed there, the son of Kunti (Arjuna)…
Verse 1.28
kṛpayā parayāviṣṭo viṣīdann idam abravīt |
arjuna uvāca
dṛṣṭvemaṁ sva-janaṁ kṛṣṇa yuyutsuṁ samupasthitam ||28||
kripaya parayavishto vishidann idam abravit |
arjuna uvacha
drishtvemam sva-janan krishna yuyutsum samupasthitam ||28||
Translation: …overwhelmed with profound compassion and sorrow, spoke these words. Arjuna said: O Krishna, seeing my own kinsmen present here desiring to fight…
Verse 1.29
sīdanti mama gātrāṇi mukhaṁ ca pariśuṣyati |
vepathuś ca śarīre me roma-harṣaś ca jāyate ||29||
sidanti mama gatrani mukhan cha parishushyati |
vepathush cha sharire me roma-harshash cha jayate ||29||
Translation: My limbs are failing, my mouth is drying up, my body is trembling, and my hair is standing on end.
Verse 1.30
gāṇḍīvaṁ sraṁsate hastāt tvak caiva paridahyate |
na ca śaknomy avasthātuṁ bhramatīva ca me manaḥ ||30||
gandivam sramsate hastat tvak chaiva paridahyate |
na cha shaknomy avasthatum bhramativa cha me manah ||30||
Translation: The Gandiva bow is slipping from my hand, and my skin is burning. I am unable to stand still, and my mind seems to be reeling.
Verse 1.31
nimittāni ca paśyāmi viparītāni keśava |
na ca śreyo ’nupaśyāmi hatvā sva-janam āhave ||31||
nimittani cha pashyami viparitani keshava |
na cha shreyo ’nupashyami hatva sva-janam ahave ||31||
Translation: I see only adverse omens, O Keshava, and I do not foresee any good in slaying my own kinsmen in battle.
Verse 1.32
na kāṅkṣe vijayaṁ kṛṣṇa na ca rājyaṁ sukhāni ca |
kiṁ no rājyena govinda kiṁ bhogair jīvitena vā ||32||
na kankshe vijayan krishna na cha rajyam sukhani cha |
kim no rajyena govinda kim bhogair jivitena va ||32||
Translation: O Krishna, I do not desire victory, nor kingdom, nor happiness. O Govinda, of what use is a kingdom, or enjoyment, or even life itself to us?
Verse 1.33
yeṣām arthe kāṅkṣitaṁ no rājyaṁ bhogāḥ sukhāni ca |
ta ime ’vasthitā yuddhe prāṇāṁs tyaktvā dhanāni ca ||33||
yesham arthe kankshitam no rajyam bhogah sukhani cha |
ta ime ’vasthita yuddhe pranams tyaktva dhanani cha ||33||
Translation: Those for whose sake we desire kingdom, enjoyments, and pleasures are stationed here in battle, having given up hope for their lives and wealth.
Verse 1.34
ācāryāḥ pitaraḥ putrās tathaiva ca pitāmahāḥ |
mātulāḥ śvaśurāḥ pautrāḥ śyālāḥ sambandhinas tathā ||34||
acharyah pitarah putras tathaiva cha pitamahah |
matulah shvashurah pautrah shyalah sambandhinas tatha ||34||
Translation: Teachers, fathers, sons, as well as grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives are present here.
Verse 1.35
etān na hantum icchāmi ghnato ’pi madhusūdana |
api trailokya-rājyasya hetoḥ kiṁ nu mahī-kṛte ||35||
etan na hantum ichchhami ghnato ’pi madhusudana |
api trailokya-rajyasya hetoh kim nu mahi-krite ||35||
Translation: O Madhusudana, I do not wish to kill them, even though they might kill me, not even for the sovereignty of the three worlds—let alone for this earth.
Verse 1.36
nihatya dhārtarāṣṭrān naḥ kā prītiḥ syāj janārdana |
pāpam evāśrayed asmān hatvaitān ātatāyinaḥ ||36||
nihatya dhartarashtran nah ka pritih syaj janardana |
papam evashrayed asman hatvaitan atatayinah ||36||
Translation: O Janardana, what pleasure could we derive from killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? Sin alone will take hold of us if we kill these aggressors.
Verse 1.37
tasmān nārhā vayaṁ hantuṁ dhārtarāṣṭrān sva-bāndhavān |
sva-janaṁ hi kathaṁ hatvā sukhinaḥ syāma mādhava ||37||
tasman narha vayam hantun dhartarashtran sva-bandhavan |
sva-janam hi katham hatva sukhinah syama madhava ||37||
Translation: Therefore, it is not proper for us to kill the sons of Dhritarashtra, our own relatives. How can we be happy by killing our own kinsmen, O Madhava?
Verse 1.38
yady apy ete na paśyanti lobhopahata-cetasaḥ |
kula-kṣaya-kṛtaṁ doṣaṁ mitra-drohe ca pātakam ||38||
yady apy ete na pashyanti lobhopahata-chetasah |
kula-kshaya-kritan dosham mitra-drohe cha patakam ||38||
Translation: Even if these people, whose minds are overpowered by greed, do not see the fault in destroying the family and the sin in hostility toward friends…
Verse 1.39
kathaṁ na jñeyam asmābhiḥ pāpād asmān nivartitum |
kula-kṣaya-kṛtaṁ doṣaṁ prapaśyadbhir janārdana ||39||
katham na jneyam asmabhih papad asman nivartitum |
kula-kshaya-kritan dosham prapashyadbhir janardana ||39||
Translation: Why should we, who can clearly see the evil in the destruction of a family, not know to turn away from this sin, O Janardana?
Verse 1.40
kula-kṣaye praṇaśyanti kula-dharmāḥ sanātanāḥ |
dharme naṣṭe kulaṁ kṛtsnam adharmo ’bhibhavaty uta ||40||
kula-kshaye pranashyanti kula-dharmah sanatanah |
dharme nashte kulan kritsnam adharmo ’bhibhavaty uta ||40||
Translation: With the destruction of the family, the eternal family traditions are destroyed; and when religion perishes, irreligion overtakes the entire family.
Verse 1.41
adharmābhibhavāt kṛṣṇa praduṣyanti kula-striyaḥ |
strīṣu duṣṭāsu vārṣṇeya jāyate varṇa-saṅkaraḥ ||41||
adharmabhibhavat krishna pradushyanti kula-striyah |
strishu dushtasu varshneya jayate varna-sankarah ||41||
Translation: When irreligion is prominent, O Krishna, the women of the family become corrupt; and when women are corrupted, O descendant of Vrishni, unwanted progeny (Varna-sankara) is born.
Verse 1.42
saṅkaro narakāyaiva kula-ghnānāṁ kulasya ca |
patanti pitaro hy eṣāṁ lupta-piṇḍodaka-kriyāḥ ||42||
sankaro narakayaiva kula-ghnanan kulasya cha |
patanti pitaro hy esham lupta-pindodaka-kriyah ||42||
Translation: An increase in unwanted progeny inevitably leads the family and the destroyers of the family to hell. The ancestors of such corrupt families fall, deprived of their offerings of food and water.
Verse 1.43
doṣair etaiḥ kula-ghnānāṁ varṇa-saṅkara-kārakaiḥ |
utsādyante jāti-dharmāḥ kula-dharmāś ca śāśvatāḥ ||43||
doshair etaih kula-ghnanam varna-sankara-karakaih |
utsadyante jati-dharmah kula-dharmash cha shashvatah ||43||
Translation: By these evil deeds of the destroyers of the family, which cause unwanted progeny, the eternal traditions of the community and the family are obliterated.
Verse 1.44
utsanna-kula-dharmāṇāṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ janārdana |
narake niyataṁ vāso bhavatīty anuśuśruma ||44||
utsanna-kula-dharmanam manushyanan janardana |
narake niyatam vaso bhavatity anushushruma ||44||
Translation: O Janardana, we have heard from authorities that those whose family traditions are destroyed inevitably dwell in hell.
Verse 1.45
aho bata mahat pāpaṁ kartuṁ vyavasitā vayam |
yad rājya-sukha-lobhena hantuṁ sva-janam udyatāḥ ||45||
aho bata mahat papan kartum vyavasita vayam |
yad rajya-sukha-lobhena hantum sva-janam udyatah ||45||
Translation: Alas! What a great sin we are determined to commit! Driven by the greed for royal pleasures, we are prepared to kill our own kinsmen.
Verse 1.46
yadi mām apratīkāram aśastraṁ śastra-pāṇayaḥ |
dhārtarāṣṭrā raṇe hanyus tan me kṣemataram bhavet ||46||
yadi mam apratikaram ashastram shastra-panayah |
dhartarashtra rane hanyus tan me kshemataram bhavet ||46||
Translation: It would be better for me if the sons of Dhritarashtra, weapons in hand, were to kill me unarmed and unresisting on the battlefield.
Verse 1.47
sañjaya uvāca
evam uktvārjunaḥ saṅkhye rathopastha upāviśat |
visṛjya sa-śaraṁ cāpaṁ śoka-saṁvigna-mānasaḥ ||47||
sanjaya uvacha
evam uktvarjunah sankhye rathopastha upavishat |
visrijya sa-sharan chapam shoka-samvigna-manasah ||47||
Translation: Sanjaya said: Having thus spoken on the battlefield, Arjuna cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief.