Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1
Chapter 1 Bhagavad Gita
Dhrtarastra said
- At holy Kuruksetra desiring to fight
And ready with all their military might
What did my sons and the sons Pandu do?
Please tell me Sanjaya, it was seen by you
Sanjaya said
- Seeing the army of the Pandu’s creation
Arranged in fine military formation
Duryodhan went to his teacher, hiding his fear
And thus spoke to him making his point very clear
Duryodhana said
3.Behold the great army of Pandu’s strong sons
Lead by your disciple, the intelligent one
- Their ranks filled with great heroes ready to fight
Bowmen equal to Arjuna and Bhima’s might.
- But our great soldiers cannot be impeded
For our army has never been defeated
- All these heroes are ready to die for my sake
They are well equipped and they won’t make mistakes
- Protected by Bhisma, our strength does outmeasure
The limits of Bhima, the Pandava’s treasure
- All of you give support to Bhisma our sire
Man your positions and be ready to fire
- Then Bhisma’s conch sounded like a lion’s roar
Assuring Duryodhan of his allegiance as before
- Conchshells and horns blew, (and) kettledrums did pound
Together they made a tumultuous sound
14,15,19.
The Lord and Arjuna, conchshells in Their hands
Blew upon them like a transcendental band
And so did the Pandu’s, anxious for battle to start
The sounds shook the heavens, breaking the Kuru’s hearts
20,22,23. Arjuna determined, armed and ready to fight
Asked Lord Krsna to place his chariot in sight
Of the great soldiers with whom he must contend
To see those he would have to fight till the end
- Having thus been requested, the Lord complied
And drew the fine chariot between both sides
- In the midst of the all the warriors that were so near
The Lord said, (Partha) “Behold all the Kurus assembled here
- There he saw his teachers, cousins, even friends
Uncles, well wishers, there seemed to be no end
- Seeing all of them prepared for a terrible bout
Arjuna broke down and with compassion cried out:
28 -29. My body is quivering, my mouth has gone dry,
My body is trembling, my hair’s standing high
- I’m forgetting myself, I can’t stay here any more
I see only misfortune if we engage in this war
32-35. What is the value of kingdom and power
When my loved ones are gone, these joys will turn sour
I still would not fight, though the three worlds I gain
Let alone this one earth, it would only cause pain
37-38. Although these men are ready to fight and to win
Why should we engage in these acts of sin?
Thus destroying their family traditions
And creating all kinds of hellish conditions
- Alas, how strange it is that we would cause distress
To our kinsmen just to enjoy royal happiness
- Better for me if to the Kurus I yield
And let them kill me now on the battlefield
- Thus having spoken and revealing his heart,
Putting down his weapons, his mind torn apart,
Seeing no solution, finding no relief
Arjuna sat down overwhelmed with grief