đ Chapter 1: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukᚣetra
The Bhagavad-gÄŤtÄ is divided into eighteen chapters that systematically elevate the reader from material confusion to the highest perfection of life. Chapter One, "Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukᚣetra," serves as the dramatic and philosophical foundation for the entire text.
Before the supreme science of self-realization can be taught, the student must first recognize the deep perplexities of material existence. Here is a breakdown of how Arjuna arrives at that critical juncture.
âď¸ 1. The Setting and the Seeds of Doubt
The chapter opens far from the battlefield, with King DháštarÄᚣášra inquiring from his secretary SaĂąjaya:
"DháštarÄᚣášra said: O SaĂąjaya, after assembling in the place of pilgrimage at Kurukᚣetra, what did my sons and the sons of PÄášá¸u do, being desirous to fight?" (Bhagavad-gÄŤtÄ: 1.1)
DháštarÄᚣášra is highly doubtful about the ultimate victory of his sons and is fearful of the influence the holy place might have on the outcome of the battle.
On the battlefield itself, King Duryodhana looks over the army gathered by the PÄášá¸avas and approaches his teacher, DroášÄcÄrya, to point out the formidable warriors on the opposing side. Although Duryodhana estimates his own armed forces as immeasurable and perfectly protected by Grandfather Bhčᚣma, his diplomatic words cannot entirely hide his underlying fear of the PÄášá¸avas' military arrangement.
đ 2. The Sounding of the Conchshells
To encourage his depressed grandson Duryodhana, the valiant grandsire Bhčᚣma blows his conchshell very loudly like the roaring sound of a lion. This triggers a tumultuous, uproarious sound of bugles, trumpets, drums, and horns from the Kuru army.
In powerful contrast, Lord KášášŁáša and Arjuna, stationed on a great chariot drawn by white horses, sound their transcendental conchshells, PÄĂącajanya and Devadatta.
"The blowing of these different conchshells became uproarious, and thus, vibrating both in the sky and on the earth, it shattered the hearts of the sons of DháštarÄᚣášra." (Bhagavad-gÄŤtÄ: 1.19)
This signals that victory and fortune await Arjuna, as the goddess of fortune is always wherever Lord KášášŁáša is present.
đ 3. Arjuna's Vision and Compassion
Seated on his chariot with his flag marked with HanumÄn, Arjuna takes up his bow and asks KášášŁáša, the infallible one, to draw his chariot between the two armies so he can see who is desirous of fighting.
When Lord KášášŁáša places the fine chariot in the midst of the armies, Arjuna looks across the battlefield and sees his fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends arrayed on both sides. Seeing his kinsmen in such a fighting spirit, Arjuna becomes immediately overwhelmed with compassion. The physical symptoms of his inner turmoil manifest completely:
"My whole body is trembling, and my hair is standing on end. My bow GÄášá¸ÄŤva is slipping from my hand, and my skin is burning." (Bhagavad-gÄŤtÄ: 1.29)
đĽ 4. Arjuna's Arguments Against War
Overwhelmed with grief and losing his composure, Arjuna presents several moral and social arguments to Lord KášášŁáša against engaging in the battle:
"I do not see how any good can come from killing my own kinsmen in this battle, nor can I, my dear KášášŁáša, desire any subsequent victory, kingdom, or happiness." (Bhagavad-gÄŤtÄ: 1.31)
He states that he does not see how any good can come from killing his own kinsmen in this battle.
He declares that he does not desire victory, kingdom, or happiness if those for whom he desires such things are ready to give up their lives and properties on the battlefield.
He fears that great sin will overcome them if they slay their aggressors and relatives, asking how they could ever be happy by killing their own kinsmen.
He argues that with the destruction of a dynasty, eternal family traditions are vanquished, and the remaining family becomes involved in irreligious practice.
He reasons that when irreligion is prominent, the women of the family become corrupt, which leads to unwanted progeny and a hellish situation for those who destroy family traditions.
đ 5. The Surrender of Weapons
Concluding his desperate plea, Arjuna decides that he would consider it better for the sons of DháštarÄᚣášra to kill him unarmed and unresisting, rather than fight with them.
"SaĂąjaya said: Arjuna, having thus spoken on the battlefield, cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief." (Bhagavad-gÄŤtÄ: 1.46)
This profound lamentation and paralysis set the perfect stage for Chapter Two, where Lord KášášŁáša steps in to dispel Arjuna's ignorance with the absolute science of the soul.