śrīmadbhagavadgītā is a jewel embedded in the mahābhārata: a dialogue between śrīkṛṣṇa and arjuna on the battlefield of kurukṣētra. It speaks in the language of real life - duty and doubt, anger and empathy, ambition and fear - and then shows how to meet those forces with steadiness.
Chapter 1, arjunaviṣādayōgaḥ, is therefore not "only introduction." It shows the battlefield outside and the battlefield within: Duryodhana's insecurity, the roar of conches, and finally Arjuna's trembling body and wavering mind. By naming these states openly - viṣāda (despondency), kṛpā (compassion), and the fear of wrongdoing - the text prepares you for Krishna's medicine in the chapters ahead.
Read this chapter as the doorway into a long inner apprenticeship. The "previous" story is the Mahabharata build-up itself: years of injustice, failed diplomacy, and the moment when avoidance is no longer possible. From this crisis, the Gita unfolds in three broad movements. Chapters 1-6 emphasize karma-yōga and the foundations of right action, while repeatedly returning to the imperishable ātmā so that doing your duty does not become an ego-war.
ōṃ śrī paramātmanē namaḥ
atha prathamō'dhyāyaḥ ।
arjunaviṣādayōgaḥ
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Om. Salutations to the Supreme Self. Now begins the first chapter, called "Arjuna's Despondency Yoga".
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvācha
dharmakṣētrē kurukṣētrē samavētā yuyutsavaḥ ।
māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāśchaiva kimakurvata sañjaya ॥ 1 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, when my side and the Pandavas assembled at Kurukshetra, the sacred field of dharma, eager to fight, what did they do?
sañjaya uvācha
dṛṣṭvā tu pāṇḍavānīkaṃ vyūḍhaṃ duryōdhanastadā ।
āchāryamupasaṅgamya rājā vachanamabravīt ॥ 2 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Sanjaya said: Seeing the Pandava army arranged in formation, Duryodhana then approached his teacher and spoke.
paśyaitāṃ pāṇḍuputrāṇāmāchārya mahatīṃ chamūm ।
vyūḍhāṃ drupadaputrēṇa tava śiṣyēṇa dhīmatā ॥ 3 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O teacher, look at this great army of the Pandavas, arranged skillfully by Drupada's son - your capable disciple.
atra śūrā mahēṣvāsā bhīmārjunasamā yudhi ।
yuyudhānō virāṭaścha drupadaścha mahārathaḥ ॥ 4 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Here are heroic, mighty bowmen, equal to Bhima and Arjuna in battle - Yuyudhana, Virata, and the great chariot-warrior Drupada.
dhṛṣṭakētuśchēkitānaḥ kāśirājaścha vīryavān ।
purujitkuntibhōjaścha śaibyaścha narapuṅgavaḥ ॥ 5 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Also here are valiant heroes: Dhrishtaketu, Cekitana, the king of Kashi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Saibya - outstanding among men.
yudhāmanyuścha vikrānta uttamaujāścha vīryavān ।
saubhadrō draupadēyāścha sarva ēva mahārathāḥ ॥ 6 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
There are also mighty warriors - Yudhamanyu and the valiant Uttamauja, and also Saubhadra (Abhimanyu) and the sons of Draupadi; all of them are great chariot-fighters.
asmākaṃ tu viśiṣṭā yē tānnibōdha dvijōttama ।
nāyakā mama sainyasya sañjñārthaṃ tānbravīmi tē ॥ 7 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
And now, O best among the twice-born, note the distinguished leaders on our side. For your awareness I will tell you the commanders of my army.
bhavānbhīṣmaścha karṇaścha kṛpaścha samitiñjayaḥ ।
aśvatthāmā vikarṇaścha saumadattistathaiva cha ॥ 8 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
You, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa the battle-conqueror, Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and also the son of Somadatta - these are the leading champions on our side.
anyē cha bahavaḥ śūrā madarthē tyaktajīvitāḥ ।
nānāśastrapraharaṇāḥ sarvē yuddhaviśāradāḥ ॥ 9 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
And there are many other heroes too, ready to risk their lives for my sake, equipped with many weapons and skilled in war.
aparyāptaṃ tadasmākaṃ balaṃ bhīṣmābhirakṣitam ।
paryāptaṃ tvidamētēṣāṃ balaṃ bhīmābhirakṣitam ॥ 10 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Our army, guarded by Bhishma, is vast; but their army, guarded by Bhima, is well-contained and sufficient.
ayanēṣu cha sarvēṣu yathābhāgamavasthitāḥ ।
bhīṣmamēvābhirakṣantu bhavantaḥ sarva ēva hi ॥ 11 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Therefore, stationed in all strategic positions according to your roles, all of you must support Bhishma.
tasya sañjanayanharṣaṃ kuruvṛddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ ।
siṃhanādaṃ vinadyōchchaiḥ śaṅkhaṃ dadhmau pratāpavān ॥ 12 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
To raise his spirits, the grandsire Bhishma - elder of the Kurus - roared like a lion and loudly blew his conch.
tataḥ śaṅkhāścha bhēryaścha paṇavānakagōmukhāḥ ।
sahasaivābhyahanyanta sa śabdastumulō'bhavat ॥ 13 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Then conches, kettledrums, drums, and horns were sounded all at once, and the sound became a tremendous uproar.
tataḥ śvētairhayairyuktē mahati syandanē sthitau ।
mādhavaḥ pāṇḍavaśchaiva divyau śaṅkhau pradaghmatuḥ ॥ 14 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Then Madhava and the Pandava, stationed in their great chariot yoked to white horses, blew their divine conches.
pāñchajanyaṃ hṛṣīkēśō dēvadattaṃ dhanañjayaḥ ।
pauṇḍraṃ dadhmau mahāśaṅkhaṃ bhīmakarmā vṛkōdaraḥ ॥ 15 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Hrishikesha blew Panchajanya; Dhananjaya blew Devadatta; and Bhima - Vrukodara of mighty deeds - blew the great conch Paundra.
anantavijayaṃ rājā kuntīputrō yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ।
nakulaḥ sahadēvaścha sughōṣamaṇipuṣpakau ॥ 16 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
King Yudhishthira, son of Kunti, blew Anantavijaya; and Nakula and Sahadeva blew Sughosha and Manipushpaka.
kāśyaścha paramēṣvāsaḥ śikhaṇḍī cha mahārathaḥ ।
dhṛṣṭadyumnō virāṭaścha sātyakiśchāparājitaḥ ॥ 17 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
The king of Kashi, the great archer; Shikhandi, the great chariot-warrior; Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and the undefeated Satyaki were among those who sounded their conches.
drupadō draupadēyāścha sarvaśaḥ pṛthivīpatē ।
saubhadraścha mahābāhuḥ śaṅkhāndadhmuḥ pṛthakpṛthak ॥ 18 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O king, Drupada, all the sons of Draupadi, and the mighty-armed Saubhadra blew their conches - each one separately.
sa ghōṣō dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ hṛdayāni vyadārayat ।
nabhaścha pṛthivīṃ chaiva tumulō vyanunādayan ॥ 19 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
That tumultuous sound tore the hearts of Dhritarashtra's sons and echoed through the sky and the earth.
atha vyavasthitāndṛṣṭvā dhārtarāṣṭrānkapidhvajaḥ ।
pravṛttē śastrasampātē dhanurudyamya pāṇḍavaḥ ॥ 20 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Then, seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra drawn up for battle, and as the clash of weapons was about to begin, Arjuna - the Pandava with the monkey-banner - raised his bow.
hṛṣīkēśaṃ tadā vākyamidamāha mahīpatē।
arjuna uvācha
sēnayōrubhayōrmadhyē rathaṃ sthāpaya mē'chyuta ॥ 21 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Arjuna said to Hrishikesha: O Achyuta, place my chariot between the two armies.
yāvadētānnirīkṣē'haṃ yōddhukāmānavasthitān ।
kairmayā saha yōddhavyamasminraṇasamudyamē ॥ 22 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Let me look at those who are standing here eager to fight, with whom I must engage in this battle.
yōtsyamānānavēkṣē'haṃ ya ētē'tra samāgatāḥ ।
dhārtarāṣṭrasya durbuddhēryuddhē priyachikīrṣavaḥ ॥ 23 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
I want to see those who have gathered here ready to fight, seeking to please the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra in this war.
sañjaya uvācha
ēvamuktō hṛṣīkēśō guḍākēśēna bhārata ।
sēnayōrubhayōrmadhyē sthāpayitvā rathōttamam ॥ 24 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Sanjaya said: Thus addressed by Gudakesha, O Bharata, Hrishikesha placed the best of chariots between the two armies.
bhīṣmadrōṇapramukhataḥ sarvēṣāṃ cha mahīkṣitām ।
uvācha pārtha paśyaitānsamavētānkurūniti ॥ 25 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
With Bhishma and Drona in the forefront, and in the presence of all the kings, Krishna said: O Partha, behold these Kurus assembled here.
tatrāpaśyatsthitānpārthaḥ pitṝnatha pitāmahān ।
āchāryānmātulānbhrātṝnputrānpautrānsakhīṃstathā ॥ 26 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
There Partha saw standing fathers and grandfathers, teachers and uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends.
śvaśurānsuhṛdaśchaiva sēnayōrubhayōrapi ।
tānsamīkṣya sa kauntēyaḥ sarvānbandhūnavasthitān ॥ 27 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
He also saw fathers-in-law and well-wishers in both armies; seeing all those relatives standing there, the son of Kunti (Arjuna)...
kṛpayā parayāviṣṭō viṣīdannidamabravīt।
arjuna uvācha
dṛṣṭvēmaṃ svajanaṃ kṛṣṇa yuyutsuṃ samupasthitam ॥ 28 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Overwhelmed by deep compassion and grief, Arjuna said: O Krishna, seeing my own people standing here eager to fight...
sīdanti mama gātrāṇi mukhaṃ cha pariśuṣyati ।
vēpathuścha śarīrē mē rōmaharṣaścha jāyatē ॥ 29 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
My limbs grow weak, my mouth dries up, my body trembles, and my hair stands on end.
gāṇḍīvaṃ sraṃsatē hastāttvakchaiva paridahyatē ।
na cha śaknōmyavasthātuṃ bhramatīva cha mē manaḥ ॥ 30 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
My Gandiva slips from my hand, my skin burns, I cannot stand steady, and my mind seems to reel.
nimittāni cha paśyāmi viparītāni kēśava ।
na cha śrēyō'nupaśyāmi hatvā svajanamāhavē ॥ 31 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
I see adverse signs, O Keshava, and I do not foresee any good in killing my own people in battle.
na kāṅkṣē vijayaṃ kṛṣṇa na cha rājyaṃ sukhāni cha ।
kiṃ nō rājyēna gōvinda kiṃ bhōgairjīvitēna vā ॥ 32 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Krishna, I do not want victory, kingdom, or pleasures. What use are kingdom, enjoyments, or even life to us, O Govinda?
yēṣāmarthē kāṅkṣitaṃ nō rājyaṃ bhōgāḥ sukhāni cha ।
ta imē'vasthitā yuddhē prāṇāṃstyaktvā dhanāni cha ॥ 33 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Those for whose sake we wanted kingdom, pleasures, and comforts are standing here in battle, ready to give up their lives and wealth.
āchāryāḥ pitaraḥ putrāstathaiva cha pitāmahāḥ ।
mātulāḥ śvaśurāḥ pautrāḥ śyālāḥ sambandhinastathā ॥ 34 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives are all here.
ētānna hantumichChāmi ghnatō'pi madhusūdana ।
api trailōkyarājyasya hētōḥ kiṃ nu mahīkṛtē ॥ 35 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Madhusudana, I do not wish to kill these people even if they kill me - not even for sovereignty over the three worlds, much less for the sake of this earth.
nihatya dhārtarāṣṭrānnaḥ kā prītiḥ syājjanārdana ।
pāpamēvāśrayēdasmānhatvaitānātatāyinaḥ ॥ 36 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Janardana, what joy would be ours if we kill the sons of Dhritarashtra? Sin would cling to us by killing these aggressors.
tasmānnārhā vayaṃ hantuṃ dhārtarāṣṭrānsvabāndhavān ।
svajanaṃ hi kathaṃ hatvā sukhinaḥ syāma mādhava ॥ 37 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Therefore we are not fit to kill the sons of Dhritarashtra, our own kinsmen. O Madhava, how could we be happy after killing our own people?
yadyapyētē na paśyanti lōbhōpahatachētasaḥ ।
kulakṣayakṛtaṃ dōṣaṃ mitradrōhē cha pātakam ॥ 38 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Even though these people, their minds ruined by greed, do not see the evil in destroying the family or the sin in betraying friends...
kathaṃ na jñēyamasmābhiḥ pāpādasmānnivartitum ।
kulakṣayakṛtaṃ dōṣaṃ prapaśyadbhirjanārdana ॥ 39 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Janardana, how can we - who see clearly the fault in destroying the family - not know to turn away from this sin?
kulakṣayē praṇaśyanti kuladharmāḥ sanātanāḥ ।
dharmē naṣṭē kulaṃ kṛtsnamadharmō'bhibhavatyuta ॥ 40 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
When a family is destroyed, its ancient duties and traditions perish; when dharma is lost, adharma overwhelms the entire family.
adharmābhibhavātkṛṣṇa praduṣyanti kulastriyaḥ ।
strīṣu duṣṭāsu vārṣṇēya jāyatē varṇasaṅkaraḥ ॥ 41 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Krishna, when adharma prevails, the women of the family are corrupted; and when women are corrupted, O Varshneya, social confusion (varṇasaṅkaraḥ) arises.
saṅkarō narakāyaiva kulaghnānāṃ kulasya cha ।
patanti pitarō hyēṣāṃ luptapiṇḍōdakakriyāḥ ॥ 42 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Such disorder leads to downfall for the family-destroyers and the family; their ancestors fall, deprived of the rites of offerings of piṇḍa and udaka.
dōṣairētaiḥ kulaghnānāṃ varṇasaṅkarakārakaiḥ ।
utsādyantē jātidharmāḥ kuladharmāścha śāśvatāḥ ॥ 43 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
By these faults of family-destroyers who create social confusion, the long-standing duties of community and family are uprooted.
utsannakuladharmāṇāṃ manuṣyāṇāṃ janārdana ।
narakē'niyataṃ vāsō bhavatītyanuśuśruma ॥ 44 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
O Janardana, we have heard that people whose family dharmas are destroyed dwell in downfall (naraka) inevitably.
ahō bata mahatpāpaṃ kartuṃ vyavasitā vayam ।
yadrājyasukhalōbhēna hantuṃ svajanamudyatāḥ ॥ 45 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Alas, we are resolved to commit a great wrong - driven by greed for kingdom and pleasures, we are ready to kill our own people.
yadi māmapratīkāramaśastraṃ śastrapāṇayaḥ ।
dhārtarāṣṭrā raṇē hanyustanmē kṣēmataraṃ bhavēt ॥ 46 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
If the sons of Dhritarashtra, weapons in hand, were to kill me in battle while I stand unarmed and unresisting, that would be better for me.
sañjaya uvācha ।
ēvamuktvārjunaḥ saṅkhyē rathōpastha upāviśat ।
visṛjya saśaraṃ chāpaṃ śōkasaṃvignamānasaḥ ॥ 47 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus on the battlefield, Arjuna sat down on the seat of the chariot, casting aside his bow and arrows, his mind overwhelmed with grief.
ōṃ tatsaditi śrīmadbhagavadgītāsūpaniṣatsu brahmavidyāyāṃ yōgaśāstrē
śrīkṛṣṇārjunasaṃvādē arjunaviṣādayōgō nāma prathamō'dhyāyaḥ ॥1 ॥
Translation (bhāvārtha):
Om Tat Sat. Thus ends the first chapter, called "Arjuna Vishada Yoga", in the revered Bhagavad Gita - an Upanishad teaching Brahma-vidya and Yoga, in the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna.
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