BHAGVAD GITA

ONE: THE DESPONDENCY OF ARJUNA

The King Dhritarashtra asked: “O Sanjaya! What happened on the sacred battlefield of
Kurukshetra, when my people gathered against the Pandavas?”


Sanjaya replied: “The Prince Duryodhana, when he saw the army of the Pandavas paraded,
approached his preceptor Guru Drona and spoke as follows:


Revered Father! Behold this mighty host of the Pandavas, paraded by the son of King
Drupada, thy wise disciple.


In it are heroes and great bowmen; the equals in battle of Arjuna and Bheema,
Yuyudhana, Virata and Drupada, great soldiers all;


Dhrishtaketu, Chekitan, the valiant King of Benares, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, Shaibya – a
master over many;


Yudhamanyu, Uttamouja, Soubhadra and the sons of Droupadi, famous men.


Further, take note of all those captains who have ranged themselves on our side, O best of
Spiritual Guides! The leaders of my army. I will name them for you.


You come first; then Bheeshma, Karna, Kripa, great soldiers; Ashwaththama, Vikarna and
the son of Somadhatta;


And many others, all ready to die for my sake; all armed, all skilled in war.


Yet our army seems the weaker, though commanded by Bheeshma; their army seems the
stronger, though commanded by Bheema.


Therefore in the rank and file, let stand firm in their posts, according to battalions; and all
you generals about Bheeshma.


Then to enliven his spirits, the brave Grandfather Bheeshma, eldest of the Kuru-clan, blew his
conch, till it sounded like a lion’s roar.


And immediately all the conches and drums, the trumpets and horns, blared forth in tumultuous
uproar.


Then seated in their spacious war chariot, yoked with white horses, Lord Shri Krishna and Arjuna
sounded their divine shells.


Lord Shri Krishna blew his Panchajanya and Arjuna his Devadatta, brave Bheema his renowned
shell, Poundra.


The King Dharmaraja, the son of Kunti, blew the Anantavijaya, Nakalu and Sahadeo, the Sugosh
and Manipushpaka, respectively.


And the Maharaja of Benares, the great archer, Shikhandi, the great soldier, Dhrishtayumna, Virata
and Satyaki, the invincible,


And O King! Drupada, the sons of Droupadi and Soubhadra, the great soldier, blew their conches.