श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता is a jewel embedded in the महाभारत: a dialogue between श्रीकृष्ण and अर्जुन on the battlefield of कुरुक्षेत्र. 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, अर्जुनविषादयोगः, 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 - विषाद (despondency), कृपा (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 कर्म-योग and the foundations of right action, while repeatedly returning to the imperishable आत्मा so that doing your duty does not become an ego-war.
ॐ श्री परमात्मने नमः
अथ प्रथमोऽध्यायः ।
अर्जुनविषादयोगः
Translation (भावार्थ):
Om. Salutations to the Supreme Self. Now begins the first chapter, called "Arjuna's Despondency Yoga".
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः ।
मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ॥ 1 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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?
सञ्जय उवाच
दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा ।
आचार्यमुपसङ्गम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 2 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Sanjaya said: Seeing the Pandava army arranged in formation, Duryodhana then approached his teacher and spoke.
पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम् ।
व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता ॥ 3 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
O teacher, look at this great army of the Pandavas, arranged skillfully by Drupada's son - your capable disciple.
अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि ।
युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः ॥ 4 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Here are heroic, mighty bowmen, equal to Bhima and Arjuna in battle - Yuyudhana, Virata, and the great chariot-warrior Drupada.
धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान् ।
पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गवः ॥ 5 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Also here are valiant heroes: Dhrishtaketu, Cekitana, the king of Kashi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Saibya - outstanding among men.
युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान् ।
सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथाः ॥ 6 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम ।
नायका मम सैन्यस्य सञ्ज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते ॥ 7 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः ।
अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ॥ 8 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
You, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa the battle-conqueror, Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and also the son of Somadatta - these are the leading champions on our side.
अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः ।
नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥ 9 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
And there are many other heroes too, ready to risk their lives for my sake, equipped with many weapons and skilled in war.
अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम् ।
पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् ॥ 10 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Our army, guarded by Bhishma, is vast; but their army, guarded by Bhima, is well-contained and sufficient.
अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः ।
भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ॥ 11 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Therefore, stationed in all strategic positions according to your roles, all of you must support Bhishma.
तस्य सञ्जनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः ।
सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान् ॥ 12 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
To raise his spirits, the grandsire Bhishma - elder of the Kurus - roared like a lion and loudly blew his conch.
ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः ।
सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ॥ 13 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Then conches, kettledrums, drums, and horns were sounded all at once, and the sound became a tremendous uproar.
ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ ।
माधवः पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदघ्मतुः ॥ 14 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Then Madhava and the Pandava, stationed in their great chariot yoked to white horses, blew their divine conches.
पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनञ्जयः ।
पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः ॥ 15 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Hrishikesha blew Panchajanya; Dhananjaya blew Devadatta; and Bhima - Vrukodara of mighty deeds - blew the great conch Paundra.
अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः ।
नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ ॥ 16 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
King Yudhishthira, son of Kunti, blew Anantavijaya; and Nakula and Sahadeva blew Sughosha and Manipushpaka.
काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः ।
धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः ॥ 17 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते ।
सौभद्रश्च महाबाहुः शङ्खान्दध्मुः पृथक्पृथक् ॥ 18 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
O king, Drupada, all the sons of Draupadi, and the mighty-armed Saubhadra blew their conches - each one separately.
स घोषो धार्तराष्ट्राणां हृदयानि व्यदारयत् ।
नभश्च पृथिवीं चैव तुमुलो व्यनुनादयन् ॥ 19 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
That tumultuous sound tore the hearts of Dhritarashtra's sons and echoed through the sky and the earth.
अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान्कपिध्वजः ।
प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः ॥ 20 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते।
अर्जुन उवाच
सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत ॥ 21 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Arjuna said to Hrishikesha: O Achyuta, place my chariot between the two armies.
यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान् ।
कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन्रणसमुद्यमे ॥ 22 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Let me look at those who are standing here eager to fight, with whom I must engage in this battle.
योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः ।
धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः ॥ 23 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
I want to see those who have gathered here ready to fight, seeking to please the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra in this war.
सञ्जय उवाच
एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत ।
सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम् ॥ 24 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Sanjaya said: Thus addressed by Gudakesha, O Bharata, Hrishikesha placed the best of chariots between the two armies.
भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम् ।
उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति ॥ 25 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
With Bhishma and Drona in the forefront, and in the presence of all the kings, Krishna said: O Partha, behold these Kurus assembled here.
तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान् ।
आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा ॥ 26 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
There Partha saw standing fathers and grandfathers, teachers and uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends.
श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि ।
तान्समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेयः सर्वान्बन्धूनवस्थितान् ॥ 27 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
He also saw fathers-in-law and well-wishers in both armies; seeing all those relatives standing there, the son of Kunti (Arjuna)...
कृपया परयाविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत्।
अर्जुन उवाच
दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम् ॥ 28 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Overwhelmed by deep compassion and grief, Arjuna said: O Krishna, seeing my own people standing here eager to fight...
सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति ।
वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते ॥ 29 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
My limbs grow weak, my mouth dries up, my body trembles, and my hair stands on end.
गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते ।
न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः ॥ 30 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
My Gandiva slips from my hand, my skin burns, I cannot stand steady, and my mind seems to reel.
निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव ।
न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे ॥ 31 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
I see adverse signs, O Keshava, and I do not foresee any good in killing my own people in battle.
न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च ।
किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा ॥ 32 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
O Krishna, I do not want victory, kingdom, or pleasures. What use are kingdom, enjoyments, or even life to us, O Govinda?
येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च ।
त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ॥ 33 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Those for whose sake we wanted kingdom, pleasures, and comforts are standing here in battle, ready to give up their lives and wealth.
आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः ।
मातुलाः श्वशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः सम्बन्धिनस्तथा ॥ 34 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives are all here.
एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन ।
अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते ॥ 35 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन ।
पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः ॥ 36 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
O Janardana, what joy would be ours if we kill the sons of Dhritarashtra? Sin would cling to us by killing these aggressors.
तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्स्वबान्धवान् ।
स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव ॥ 37 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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?
यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः ।
कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम् ॥ 38 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Even though these people, their minds ruined by greed, do not see the evil in destroying the family or the sin in betraying friends...
कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम् ।
कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन ॥ 39 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
O Janardana, how can we - who see clearly the fault in destroying the family - not know to turn away from this sin?
कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः ।
धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत ॥ 40 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
When a family is destroyed, its ancient duties and traditions perish; when dharma is lost, adharma overwhelms the entire family.
अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः ।
स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः ॥ 41 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
O Krishna, when adharma prevails, the women of the family are corrupted; and when women are corrupted, O Varshneya, social confusion (वर्णसङ्करः) arises.
सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च ।
पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः ॥ 42 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Such disorder leads to downfall for the family-destroyers and the family; their ancestors fall, deprived of the rites of offerings of पिण्ड and उदक.
दोषैरेतैः कुलघ्नानां वर्णसङ्करकारकैः ।
उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्माः कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वताः ॥ 43 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
By these faults of family-destroyers who create social confusion, the long-standing duties of community and family are uprooted.
उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन ।
नरकेऽनियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम ॥ 44 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
O Janardana, we have heard that people whose family dharmas are destroyed dwell in downfall (naraka) inevitably.
अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम् ।
यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः ॥ 45 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
Alas, we are resolved to commit a great wrong - driven by greed for kingdom and pleasures, we are ready to kill our own people.
यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः ।
धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ॥ 46 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
सञ्जय उवाच ।
एवमुक्त्वार्जुनः सङ्ख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् ।
विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः ॥ 47 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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.
ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे
श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे अर्जुनविषादयोगो नाम प्रथमोऽध्यायः ॥1 ॥
Translation (भावार्थ):
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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