Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 1 · Arjuna Vishada Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 1.20 अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान्
श्लोक 1.20
अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान् कपिध्वजः ।
प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः ।
हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते ॥
atha vyavasthitāndṛṣṭvā dhārtarāṣṭrān kapidhvajaḥ |
pravṛtte śastrasampāte dhanurudyamya pāṇḍavaḥ |
hṛṣīkeśaṃ tadā vākyamidamāha mahīpate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे राजन, जब शस्त्र चलने ही वाले थे, तब धृतराष्ट्र के पुत्रों को व्यवस्थित खड़ा देखकर, हनुमान-चिह्न वाली ध्वजा वाले पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुन ने धनुष उठाया और श्रीकृष्ण से ये वचन कहे।
Meaning in English
Then, O king, seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra drawn up in order, as the clash of weapons was about to begin, Arjuna, the son of Pandu, whose banner bore the monkey (Hanuman), raised his bow and spoke these words to Hrishikesha (Krishna).
Bhagavad Gita 1.20 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अथ | atha | then |
| व्यवस्थितान् | vyavasthitān | standing in array |
| दृष्ट्वा | dṛṣṭvā | seeing |
| धार्तराष्ट्रान् | dhārtarāṣṭrān | the sons of Dhritarashtra |
| कपि-ध्वजः | kapi-dhvajaḥ | he whose banner bears the monkey |
| प्रवृत्ते | pravṛtte | when about to begin |
| शस्त्र-सम्पाते | śastra-sampāte | the clash of weapons |
| धनुः | dhanuḥ | bow |
| उद्यम्य | udyamya | raising |
| पाण्डवः | pāṇḍavaḥ | the son of Pandu (Arjuna) |
| हृषीकेशम् | hṛṣīkeśam | to Hrishikesha (Krishna) |
| तदा | tadā | then |
| वाक्यम् | vākyam | words |
| इदम् | idam | these |
| आह | āha | said |
| मही-पते | mahī-pate | O king |
Explanation
Then, O king, seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra drawn up in array, just as weapons were about to clash, Arjuna, whose banner bore the monkey, raised his bow and spoke these words to Krishna.
This is the last moment before the battle, and the Gita's dialogue begins here. The monkey on Arjuna's banner is Hanuman, who in the Mahabharata promised Bhima to sit on Arjuna's flag. Arjuna lifts his bow with full intent to fight. The contrast with the end of the chapter, where the same bow slips from his hand, is deliberate: within a few verses the eager warrior will be broken by grief.
भावार्थ
हे राजन, तब धृतराष्ट्र के पुत्रों को युद्ध के लिए डटे देखकर, जब शस्त्र चलने ही वाले थे, कपिध्वज अर्जुन ने धनुष उठाया और हृषीकेश श्रीकृष्ण से यह वचन कहा।
Living it today
The moment just before action is often when doubts surface. Pause there and look clearly before you leap.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 1.20?
Then, O king, seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra drawn up in array, just as weapons were about to clash, Arjuna, whose banner bore the monkey, raised his bow and spoke these words to Krishna.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 1.20?
Sanjaya speaks this verse, in Chapter 1 (Arjuna Vishada Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 1.20 in daily life?
The moment just before action is often when doubts surface. Pause there and look clearly before you leap.
Reflected on verse 1.20?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.