Chapter 1 – Arjuna’s Despondency
Verse 27
Shvashuraan’, suhridH, ch, ev, senyoH, ubhyoH, api,
Taan’, samikshya, saH, kaunteyH, sarvaan’, bandhoon’, avasthitaan’||27||
(Sanjaya says to Dhritarashtra):
Seeing his fathers-in-law (relatives from his wife’s side) and dear friends standing in both armies, the son of Kunti, Arjuna, observed all his kinsmen assembled and ready for battle.
Deep Interpretation / Expanded Explanation:
In this verse, Sanjaya tells King Dhritarashtra that when Arjuna looked around the battlefield and saw his father-in-law (such as King Drupada), respected elders, brothers, uncles, cousins, sons, grandsons, friends, and other close relatives standing on both sides, ready to fight — he became deeply emotional.
For Arjuna, this was no longer just a war — it turned into a painful conflict of personal relationships.
This verse portrays Arjuna’s inner emotional turmoil with greater depth —
he realizes that the people standing on both sides are an inseparable part of his life.
Key Points:
- Arjuna saw his close relatives standing on both sides of the battlefield.
- These included his father-in-law (like Drupada), friends, brothers, sons, and revered elders.
- This sight evoked deep detachment, compassion, and inner conflict in Arjuna’s heart.
- This emotional state ultimately leads to Arjuna putting down his weapons and becomes the moment from which the divine teachings of the Bhagavad Gita begin.
