DHRITARASHTRA: [1] O Sanjaya, tell me what happened at Kurukshetra, the field of dharma, where my family and the Pandavas gathered to fight.

Transcription

1 (See the List of Bhagavad Gita Translations in the Main Document) 1 of 23 Eliot Deutsch translation [Deutch was Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hawaii and editor of the journal Philosophy East and West. Deutsch's solution to the problem of synonyms or epithet-replacements of the names of personages, as well as to other unclear references is the use of parentheses. Deutsch also has some explanatory footnotes. Occasionally Deutsch uses archaic English to suggest solemnity.] [1] Dhritarashtra said: What did the sons of Pandu and my men do, O Sanjaya, when, eager to fight, they gathered together on the field of righteousness, the Kuru field? [2] Sanjaya said: When seeing the army of the Pandavas drawn up in batle array, Duryodhana the prince approached his teacher (Drona) and spoke these words: [3] Behold, O teacher, this mighty army of the sons of Pandu arrayed by thy skillful pupil, the son of Drupada. [4] Here are heroes, great archers, in battle they are equal to Arjuna and Bhima -- Yuyudhana and Virata and Drupada of the great chariot; [5] Dhrishtaketu, Cekitana and the valiant King of Kashi (Benares", also Purijit, Kuntibhoja and Shaibya, the best of men; [6] Yudhamany the valiant and Uttamaujas the brave, the son of Subhadra and the sons of Draupadi, all great warriors indeed. [7] Know also, O best of the twice-born, the leaders of my army. I name those that ar emost distinguished for thy recognition. [8] Thyself (Drona) and Bhishma and Karna and Kripa, the victorious in battle; Asvatthaman and Vikarna and also the son of Somadatta. [9] And many other heroes who are willing to risk their lives for my sake. Armed with various weapons, they are all skilled in war. [10] Although this army of ours seems insufficient, it is protected by Bhishma; while their army, which seems sufficient, is protected by Bhima. [11] Therefore in all fronts, stationed in your respective ranks, guard ye Bhishma above all. [12] The aged (oldest) grandson of the Kurus (Bhishma), bringing joy to him (Duryodhana), blew his conch shell and roared a lion's roar on high. [13] Then conches and kettledrums, cymbals and drums and horns suddenly were struck and the sound was tumultuous. [14] Then stationed in their great chariot, which was yoked to white horses, Madhava (Krishna) and the son of Pandu (Arjuna) blew their wondrous conch shells. [15] Krishna blew Pancajanya and Arjuna (blew) Devadatta, and Bhima, of terrible deeds, blew his mighty conch Paundra. [16] The King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, (blew) Anantavijaya, and Nakula and Sahadeva (blew) Sughosha and Manipushpaka. [17] And the king of Kashi, the excellent archer; Shikandim, the great warrior; Dhrishtadyumna and Virata and the unconquered Satyaki; [18] Drupada and the sons of Drupadi, O Lord of the earth, and the strong-armed son of Subhadra, on all sides blew their respective conches. [19] The tumultuous noise, resounding through earth and sky, rent the hearts of the sons of Dhritarashtra. [20] Then Arjuna, who bore the crest of the god Hanuman, seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra standing arrayed, as the discharge of weapons began, took up his bow. [21] And to Hrishikesha (Krishna), then, O Lord of earth, he Eknath Easwaran's translation [Easwaran is a former Fullbright scholar and professor of English literature, as well as a specialist in teaching the Bhagavad Gita. He heads each chapter with a several-page introduction to the chapter. Easwaran incorporates some explanatory material into his translation that is not in the original text. Because of Easwaran's placement of verse numbers in the margins, determining where a particular verse starts is often difficult.] DHRITARASHTRA: [1] O Sanjaya, tell me what happened at Kurukshetra, the field of dharma, where my family and the Pandavas gathered to fight. SANJAYA: [2] Having surveyed the forces of the Pandavas arrayed for battle, prince Duryodhana approached his teacher, Drona, and spoke. [3] "O my teacher, look at this mighty array of the Pandavas, assembled by your own gifted disciple, Yudhishthira. [4] There are heroic warriors and great archers who are the equals of Bhima and Arjuna: Yuyudhana, Virata, the mighty [5] Drupada, Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, the valiant king of Kashi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, [6] the great leader Shaibya, the powerful Hudhamanyu, the valiant Uttamaujas, and the son of Subhadra, in addition to the sons of Draupadi. All these command mighty chariots. [7] "O best of brahmins, listen to the names of those who are distinguished among our own [8] forces: Bhishma, Karna, and the victorious Kripa; Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and the son of Somadatta. [9] There are many others, too, heroes giving up their lives for my sake, all proficient in war and armed with a variety of weapons. [10] Our army is unlimited and commanded by Bhishma; theirs is smal and commanded by Bhima. [11] Let everyone take his proper place and stand firm supporting Bhishma!" [12] Then the powerful Bhishma, the grandsire, oldest of all the Kurus, in order to cheer Duryodhana, roared like a lion and blew his conch horn. [12] And after Bhishma, a tremendous noise arose of chochs and cowhorns and pounding on drums. [14] Then Sri Krishna and Arjuna, who were standing in a mighty chariot yoked with white horses, blew their divine conchs. [15] Sri Krishna blew the conch named Panchajanya, and Arjuna blew that called Devadatta. The mighty Bhima blew the huge conch Paundra. [16] Yudhishthira, the king, the son of Kunti, blew the conch Anantavijaya; Nakula and Sahadeva blew their conchs as well. [17] Then the king of Kashi, the leading bowman, the great warrior Shikhandi, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, [18] the invincible Satyaki, Drupada, all the sons of Draupadi, and the strong-armed son of Subhadra joined in, [19] and the noise tore through the heart of Duryodhana's army. Indeed the sound was tumultuous, echoing throughout heaven and earth. [20] Then, O Dhritarashtra, lord of the earth, having seen your son's forces set in their places and the fighting about to begin, Arjuna spoke these words to Sri Krishna: ARJUNA: [21] O Krishna, drive my chariot between the two armies. [22] I want to see those who desire to fight with me. With whom will this battle be fought? [23] I want to see those assembled to fight for Duryodhana, those who seek to please the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra by engaging in war. SANJAYA: [24] Thus Arjuna spoke, and Sri Krishna, driving his splendid chariot

2 (See the List of Bhagavad Gita Translations in the Main Document) 2 of 23 spoke these words: Stop my chariot, O immovable one, between the two armies, [22] That I may behold these men standing eager for battle, with whom I must fight in this strife of war; [23] And see those who are assembled here, ready to fight, and who are desirous of pleasing in battle the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra. [24] Thus addressed by Gudakesha (Arjuna), Hrishikesha (Krishna), O Bharata, placed that excellent chariot between the two armies. [25] And in front of Bhishma and Drona and all the kings, he said: Behold O Partha (Arjuna) these assembled Kurus. [26] Arjuna saw standing there fathers and grandfathers, teachers, uncles, brothers, sons and grandsons, and also companions; [27] And fathers-in-law and friends in both the armies. Seeing all these kinsmen thus arrayed, the son of Kunti (Arjuna), [28] Filled with the utmost compassion, sorrowfully spoke: Seeing my own kinsmen, O Krishna, arrayed and wishing to fight, [29] My limbs collapse, my mouth dries up, there is trembling in my bow, and my hair stands on end; [30] (The bow) Gandiva slips from my hand and my skin also is burning; I am not able to stand still, my mind is whirling. [31] And I see evil portents, O Keshava (Krishna), and I foresee no good in slaying my own kinsmen in the fight. [32] I do not desire victory, O Krishna, nor kingdom, nor pleasure. Of what use is kingdom to us, O Govinda (Krishna), of what use pleasure or life? [33] Those for whose sake we desire kingdom, pleasures and happiness, they are arrayed here in battle, having renounced their lives and riches. [34] Teachers, fathers, sons, and also grandfathers; uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-inlaw and (other) kinsmen: [35] These I do not wish to kill, though they kill me, O Madhusudana (Krishna); even for the kingdom of the three worlds; how (much less) then for the sake of the earth! [36] What pleasure can be ours, O Janardana (Krishna) in slaying the sons of Dhritarashtra? Only evil would attach to us if we kill these felons. [37] Therefore we should not slay the sons of Dhritarashtra, our kinsmen. How could we be happy killing our own people, O Madhava? [38] Even if they, whose minds are destroyed by greed, do not see the sin caused by the destruction of a family and the crime incurred in the injury to a friend; [39] Why should we not have the wisdom to turn back from this sin, we who see the evil in the destruction of the family, O Janardana (Krishna)? [40] In the ruin of a family, its immemorial laws perish; and when the laws perish, the whole family is overcome by lawlessness. [41] And when lawlessness prevails, O Krishna, the women of the family are corrupted, and when women are corupted, O Varshneya, a mixture of caste arises. [42] And this confusion brings the family itself to hell and those who have destroyed it; for their ancestors fall, deprived of their offerings of rice and water. [43] By the sins of those who destroy a familiy and create a mixture of caste, the eternal laws of the caste and the family are destroyed. [44] The men of the families whose laws are destroyed, O Janardana, assuredly will dwell in hell; so we have heard. [45] Alas, what a great sin we resolved to commit in undertaking to kill our own people through our greed for the between the two armies, [25] facing Bhishma and Drona and all the kings of the earth, said: "Arjuna, behold all the Kurus gathered together." [26] And Arjuna, standing between the two armies, saw fathers and grandfathers, teachers, uncles, and brothers, sons and grandsons, in-laws and friends. [27] Seeing his kinsmen established in opposition, Arjuna was overcome by sorrow. Despairing, he spoke these words: ARJUNA: [28] O Krishna, I see my own relations here anxious to fight, and my limbs grow weak; [29] my mouth is dry, my body shakes, and my hair is standing on end. [30] My skin burns, and the bow Gandiva has slipped from my hand. I am unable to stand; my mind seems to be whirling. [31] These signs bode evil for us. I do not see that any good can come from killing our relations in battle. [32] O Krishna, I have no desire for victory, or for a kingdom or pleasures. Of what use is a kingdom or pleasure or even life, [33] if those for whose sake we desire these things -- [34] teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, uncles, in-laws, grandsons, and others with family ties -- are engaging in this battle, renouncing their wealth and their lives? [35] Even if they were to kill me, I would not want to kill them, not even to become ruler of the three worlds. How much less for the earth alone? [36] O Krishna, what satisfaction could we find in killing Dhritarashtra's sons? We would become sinners by slaying these men, even though they are evil. [37] The sons of Dhritarashtra are related to us; therefore, we should not kill them. How can we gain happiness by killing members of our own family? [38] Though they are overpowered by greed and see no evil in destroying families or injuring friends, we see these evils. [39] Why shouldn't we turn away from this sin? [40] When a family declines, ancient traditions are destroyed. With them are lost the spiritual foundations for life, and the family loses its sense of unity. [41] Where there is no sense of unity, the women of the family become corrupt; and with the corruption of its women, society is plunged into chaos. [42] Social chaos is hell for the family and for those who have destroyed the family as well. It disrupts the process of spiritual evolution begun by our ancestors. [43] The timeless spiritual foundations of family and society would be destroyed bythese terrible deeds, which violate the unity of life. [44] It is said that those whose family dharma has been destroyed dwell in hell. [45] This is a great sin! We are prepared to kill our own relations out of greed for the pleasures of a kingdom. [46] Better for me if the sons of Dhritarashtra, weapons in hand, were to attack me in battle and kill me unarmed and unresisting. SANJAYA: [47] Overwhelmed by sorrow, Arjuna spoke these words. And casting away his bow and his arrows, he sat down in his chariot in the middle of the battlefield.

3 (See the List of Bhagavad Gita Translations in the Main Document) 3 of 23 pleasures of kingdom. [46] It would be better for me if the sons of Dhritarashtra, with weapons in hand, should slay me, unresisting and unarmed, in the battle. [47] Having spoken thus on the battlefield, Arjuna cast away his bow and arrow and sank down on the seat of his chariot, his spirit overcome by grief. Franklin Edgerton translation [the original edition included the Sanskrit script, plus transliteration; Edgerton's status as a great scholar of the Orient is indicated by the original publication of the translation in the Harvard University Press Oriental Series]: Dhrtarastra said: 1. In the Field of Right, the Kuru-field Assembled ready to fight, My men and the sons of Pandu as well, What did they do, Sanjaya? Sanjaya said: 2. Seeing however the host of the sons of Pandu Arrayed, Duryodhana then Approached the Teacher (Drona) And spoke a word, the prince: 3. Behold of Pandu's sons this Great host, O Teacher! Arayed by Drupada's son, Thy Skillful pupil. 4. Here are heroes, great archers, Like unto Bhima and Arjuna in battle, Yuyudhana and Virata, And Drupada of the great car; 5. Dhrstaketu, Cekitana, And the heroic king of Benares, Purujit, and Kuntibhoja, And the Sibi-king, bull of men; 6. Yudhamanyu, the valorous, And Uttamaujas the heroic, The son of Subhadra, and the sons of Draupadi, All, aye all, men of great cars. 7. But of our men, who are the most distinguished Learn from me, best of brahmans, -- Who are the leaders of my host; To name them, I declare them to thee. 8. Thy good self, and Bhisma, and Karna, And battle-winning Krpa, Asvatthaman, and Vikarna, And the son of Somadatta too; 9. And many other heores, Giving up life for my sake; With various weapons and arms, All skilled in conflict. W. Douglas P. Hill translation [Hill was a scholar of King's College, Cambridge University, and Principal of Narayan's High School in Benares, India]: Dhritarastra said: 1. On the Field of Right, the Kuru-Field, assembled, eager to fight, what did my warriors and the warriors of Pandu, O Sanjaya? Sanjaya said: 2. When he beheld the host of Pandu's warriors in array, then did king Duryodhana approach his master and speak a word: 3. See, O master, this great host of Pandu's sons, set in array by the wise pupil, the son of Drupada! 4. Here are men of prowess, bearing great bows, peers in the fight with Bhima and with Arjuna -- Yuyudhana and Virata and Drupada, lord of the mighty car, 5. Dhristaketu, Cekitana, and the strong king of the Kasis, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and the mighty Sibian chief, 6. Yudhamanyu, the lusty, and strong Uttamaujas, Subhadra's son and the sons of Draupadi, all, yea all, lords of the mighty car. 7. Now of our host the chiefest learn, O noblest of the Twiceborn, the captains of my army; that thou mayest know them I declare them to thee. 8. Thyself, and Bhisma and Karna and Kripa, victor in battle, Asvatthaman and Vikarna and the son of Somadatta too, 9. And many another hero for my sake surrendering life; various the weapons and the arms they bear, and all are versed in war. 10. Guarded by Bhisma, this our force is all too weak; and all too strong that force of theirs, by Bhima guarded. 11. So stand in all the ranks according to your companies, and guard only Bhisma, every one of you! 12. To give him cheer the aged Kuru lord, the glorious sire, blew his shell, raising on high a roar as of a lion. 13. Thereupon shells and kettledrums, cymbals and drums, and trumpets, suddenly were sounded; tumultuous was that din. 14. Then standing in their mighty car yoked with white horses, did Madhava and the son of Pandu blow their shells divine. 15. Hrisikesia blew Pancajanya, Dhanamjaya blew Devadatta; insatiable Bhima, whose deeds are dread, blew the great shell Paundra. 16. Yudhisthira the king, the son of Kunti, blew Anantavijaya; Nakula and Sahadeva blew Sughosa and Manipuspaka. 17. And Kasi's king, bowman supreme, and Sikhandin of the mighty car, Dhristadyumna and Virata and Styaki unsubdued, 18. Drupada and the sons of Draupadi, O lord of earth, and the strong-armed son of Subhadra -- on every side blew each his several shell. 19. That uproar rent the hearts of Dhritarastra's men; it made both sky and earth tumultuously resound. 20. Then Pandu's son, who bore the banner of the ape, beholding in array the host of Dhritarastra, when now the arrows had begun to fly, took up his bow,

4 (See the List of Bhagavad Gita Translations in the Main Document) 4 of (Although) insufficient (in number) this our Host is protected by (the wise) Bhisma; On the other hand, (while) sufficient, this their Host is protected by (the unskilled) Bhima. 11. And (so) in all movements, Stationed in your several places, Guard Bhisma above all, Each and every one of you. 12. Producing joy in his heart, The aged grandsire of the Kurus Roared a lion's roar on high, And blew his conch-shell, full of valor. 13. Then conch-shells and drums, Kettle-drums, cymbals, and trumpets, All at once were sounded; The sound was tremendous. 14. Then on the white-horse-yoked Mighty car standing, Madhava (krsna) and the son of Pandu (Arjuna) Blew their wondrous conch-shells: 15. Hrsikesia (Krsna) blew Pancajanya, Dhanamjaya (Arjuna) blew Devadatta, The great shell Paundra blew Wolf-belly (Bhima) of terrible deeds. 16. (The shell) Anantavijaya (blew) the king Yudhisthira, Kunti's son; Nakula and Sahadeva (Blew) Sughosa and Manipuspaka. 17. And the king of Benares, supreme archer, And sikhandin, of the great car, And Dhrstadyumna and Virata, And the unconquered Satyaki, 18. Drupada and the sons of Draupadi, All together, O king, And the great-armed son of Subhadra, Blew their conch-shells severally. 19. That sound Dhrtarastra's men's hearts did rend; And both sky and earth It made to resound, swelling aloft. 20. Then seeing arayed Dhrtarastra's sons, the ape-bannered (Arjuna), When the clash of arms had already begun, Lifted up his bow, the son of Pandu, 21. And to Hrsikesia then words Like these spoke, O king. Between the two armies Halt my chariot, O unshaken one, 22. Until I espy these That are drawn up eager to fight, (And see) with whom I must fight In this warlike enterprise. 21. And straightway spoke, O lord of earth, this word to Hrisikesia: Arjuna said: Between the armies set my car, O thou that fallest not, 22. While I behold them as they stand lusting for the fight, while I behold with whom must be my conflict in this hard toil of war, 23. And gaze on those assembled here to strive, eager in battle to fulfil the pleasure of Dhritarastra's perverse son. Sanjaya said: 24. Thus addressed by Gudakesa, Hrisikesa set the best of cars between the armies, Bharata, 25. Before the face of Bhisma and Drona and all the rulers of the earth, and said, "O son of Pritha, behold these Kurus assembled!" 26. There as they stood the son of Pritha saw fathers and grandfathers, masters, uncles, brothers, sons, and grandsons, ay, and comrades, 27. Fathers-in-law, and friends, in both armies. When he saw all these kinsmen in array, the son of Kunti 28. Was filled with deep compassion, and in despair he spoke this word: Arjuna said: O Krisna, when I see these kinsmen present here in act to fight, 29. My limbs grow faint, my mouth is parched, trembling lays hold upon my body, and my hair stands erect; 30. Gandiva slips from my hand, and my skin is afire; I cannot stand; my brain seems to reel. 31. Adverse omens I behold, O Kesava, nor if I kill my kinsmen in the fight do I foresee aught good. 32. I desire not victory, O Krisna, nor yet sovereignty, nor pleasures. What have we to do with sovereignty, Govinda? What with delights or life? 33. Those for whose sake we do desire sovereignty, delights, and pleasures, stand here in readiness to fight, surrendering life and wealth Masters, fathers and sons and grandsires too, uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other kin. 35. Then would I not slay, O madhusudana, though they slay me; not even to win the sovereignty of the three worlds -- how much less for earth! 36. If we slew Dhritarastra's men what pleasure should we win, Janardana? Guilt, guilt, would make its home with us, did we slay these criminals! 37. Therefore we must not slay Dhritarastra's men, who are our kin; for if we slew our kinsmen, how, Madhava, should we be happy? 38. Though these, whose wits are blind with greed, see not the sin that lies in the destruction of a family, nor crime in treachery, 39. Yet how should we not know avoidance of this guilt, we who see clearly the sin that lies in the destruction of a family, Janardana? 40. With the destruction of a family perish the family's eternal laws; and when the law has perished, the whole family yields to lawlessness. 41. When lawlessness prevails, O Krisna, the women of the family become corrupt; when women are corrupted, son of Vrisni, there appears caste-confusion. 42. To hell does this confusion bring the family and those who slay it; for when the ritual offerings of rice and water fail, their Fathers fall degraded. 43. By these sins of those who slay the family, these caste-confounding sins, are brought to naught the everlasting laws of clan and family. 44. For men whose family laws have been brought to naught, there is ordained an abode in hell, Janardana; so have we heard. 45. Alas, a grievous sin have we determined to commit, in that for greed of sovereignty and pleasure we are prepared to slay our kin! 46. If Dhritarastra's men, with weapons in their hands, should slay me in the fight, unresisting and unarmed, that were happier for me!

5 (See the List of Bhagavad Gita Translations in the Main Document) 5 of I will see those who are going to fight, Who are here assembled, For Dhrtarastra's ill-minded son Eager to do service in battle. Sanjaya said: 47. Thus spoke Arjuna on the field of battle, and sat down upon the chariot seat, dropping his arrows and his bow, his soul o-erwhelmed with grief. 24. Hrsikesia, thus addressed By Gudakesa, O son of Bharata, Between the two armies Halted the excellent car, 25. In front of Bhisma and Drona And all the kings, And said: Son of Prtha, behold these Assembled Kurus! 26. There the son of Prtha saw stationed Fathers and grandsires, Teachers, uncles, brothers, Sons, grandsons, and comrades too, 27. Fathers-in-law and friends as well, In both the two armies. The son of Kunti, seeing them, All his kinsmen arrayed, 28. Filled with utmost compassion, Despondent, spoke these words: Seeing my own kinsfolk here, Krsna, That have drawn near eager to fight, 29. My limbs sink down, And my mouth becomes parched, And there is trembling in my body, And my hair stands on end. 30. (The bow) gandiva falls from my hand, And my skin, too, is burning, And I cannot stand still, And my mind seems to wander. 31. And I see portents That are adverse, Kesava; And I foresee no welfare, Having slain my kinsfolk in battle. 32. I wish no victory, Krsna, Nor kingdom nor joys; Of what use to us were kingdom, Govinda, Of what use enjoyments or life? 33. For whose sake we desire Kingdom, enjoyments, and happiness, They are drawn up here in battle, Giving up life and wealth: 34. Teachers, fathers, sons, Grandsires as well, Uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, Brothers-in-law, and (other) kinsfolk. 35. Them I do not wish to slay, Even though they slay (me), O slayer of Madhu, Even for three-world-rulership's Sake; how much less for the sake of earth!

6 (See the List of Bhagavad Gita Translations in the Main Document) 6 of Having slain Dhrtarastra's men, to us What joy would ensue, Janardana? Evil alone would light upon us, Did we slay these (our would-be) murderers. 37. Therefore we should not slay Dhrtarastra's men, our own kinsfolk, For ho, having slain our kinsfolk, Could we be happy, Madhava? 38. Even if they do not see, Because their intelligence is destroyed by greed, The sin caused by destruction of family, And the crime involved in jury to a friend, 39. How should we not know enough To turn back from this wickedness, The sin caused by destruction of family Perceiving, O Janardana? 40. Upon the destruction of the familyh, perish The immemorial holy laws of the familyh; When the laws have perished, the whole family Lawlessnes overwhelms also. 41. Because of the prevalence of lawlessness, Krsna, The women of the family are corrupted; When the women are corrupted, O Vrsni-clansman, Mixture of caste ensues. 42. Mixture (of caste) leads to naught but hell For the destroyers of the family and for the family; For their ancestors fall (to hell), Because the rites of (giving) food and water are interrupted. 43. By these sins of family-destroyers, (Sins) which produce caste mixture, The caste laws are destroyed, And the eternal family laws. 44. When the family laws are destroyed, Janardana, then for men Dwelling in hell certainly Ensues: so we have heard (from the Holy Word). 45. Ah woe! 'Twas a great wickedness That we had resolved to commit, In that, through greed for the joys of kingship, We undertook to slay our kinsfolk. 46. If me unresisting, Weaponless, with weapons in their hands Dhratarastra's men whould slay in battle, That would be a safer course for m 47. Thus speaking Arjuna in the battle Sat down in the box of the car, Letting fall his bow and arrows, His heart Smitten with grief.

7 (See the List of Bhagavad Gita Translations in the Main Document) 7 of 23 W.J. Johnson translation [educated at the University of Sussex and Oxford University, Johnson was a research fellow in Indology, and now a lecturer in religious studies at the University of Wales]: Dhritarashtra said: 1. In the Field of the Law, the Kurus' Field, when my men and the Pandava men had come together so eager to fight, what did they do, Sanjaya? Sanjaya said: 2. Once he had seen the Pandava army drawn up for battle, King Duryodhana approached the teacher, Drona, and said: 3. "Master, behold this mighty army of Pandu's sons drawn up by your wise student Dhrishtadyumna, Drupada's son. 4. Here are champions, great archers, equals in battle of Bhima and ARjuna: Yuyudhana, Virata, and the great warrior Drupada, 5. Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, and the dynamic king of the Kashis, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Shaibya, a bull among men, 6. Bold Yudhamanayu and valiant Uttamaujas, Subhadra's son, and the sons of Draupadi, great warriors to a man. 7. But now, greatest of brahmins, mark our chief men, the commanders of my army -- for you I shall list them by name: 8. Yourself, Bhishma, Karna, and Kripa, victorious in battle, Ashvatthaman, Vikarna, as well as Somadatta's son, 9. And many other champions who have given up their lives to my cause, all battle-hardened combatants, armed to the teeth. 10. Their force, protected by Bhima, is no match for ours; but ours is good enough for them -- it is protected by Bhishma. 11. So all of you, waiting now in your proper places -- you must guard Bhishma at every turn!" 12. Then the elder of the Kurus, the Grandfather, Bhishma, roared a great lion's roar, and blew vigorously on his conch, bringing joy to Duryodhana. 13. Thereupon conches, kettledrums, cymbals, drums, and horns suddenly blared out in a tumult of sound. 14. And so, as they stood in a great chariot yoked with white horses, krishna and ARjuna blew their divine conches Krishna the conch Panchajanya, Arjuna Devadatta, and wolf-belly Bhima, so terrible in action, blew the great conch Paundra. 16. Yudhisthira, son of Kunti and king, blew Anantavijaya, Nakula and Sahadeva blew Sughosa and Manipushpala. 17. And the king of the Kashis, supreme bowman, Shikhandin the great warrior, Dhrishtadyumna and Virata, and Satyaki the unconquered. 18. Drupada and the sons of Draupadi, O King of the Earth, and the great-armed son of Subhadra, in unison blew their separate conches. 19. That sound lacerated the hearts of Dhritarashtra's sons -- an uproar that thundered from heaven to earth. 20. Then the ape-bannered Pandava, Arjuna, seeing Dhritarashtra's host drawn up for battle, raised his bow aloft as the clash of arms was coming on, 21. And, O King of the Earth, said to Krishna: "Achyuta, draw up my chariot between the two armies 22. That I may look on these men, at the ready, eager for battle, with whom I must engage in this great enterprise of war. 23. I would see those assembled here, straining to fight, eager to serve in battle Duryodhana, Dhritarashtra's evil-minded son." 24. Addressed thus by ARjuna, O Bharata, Krishna halted the great chariot between the two armies, 25. In front of Bishma and Drona, and all the lords of the eath, and said: "Look, Partha, these are the Kurus, all of them together." 26. There Arjuna saw, standing their ground, fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends, P. Lal translation [native-born in India, Lal was professor of English literature at a college in Calcutta, and founder of a Writers Workshop there; he calls his translation a "transcreation"]: DHRITARASHTRA ASKED: Tell me, Sanjaya, what did the Pandavas and the Kauravas do, gathered on the sacred battlefield of Kurukshetra? SANJAYA REPLIED: Seeing the army of the Pandavas, Duryodhana went to his acharya Drona, and said: "Look at this vast army, under the command of Dhristadyumna; Heroes all of them, mighty bowmen rivalling Bhima and Arjuna; Yuyudhana, Virata, and Drupada; Dhristaketu, Chekitana, and the King of Varanasi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Shaibya; Yudhamanu and uttamaujas, Abhimanyu, and the sons and grandsons of Drupada. And look at your army too -- I give you the names of our commanders: First of all, you, Bhishma, Karna, and Kripa; Ashvatthaman, Vikarna, and the son of Somadatta; And many others, all well-armed, eager to die if necessary for my sake. My army seems weak compared to theirs, mine marshalled by Bhishma, theirs by Bhima. Let orders be passed to protect Bhishma; let the troops form ranks." Bhishma, anxious to revive Duryodhana's spirits, blew fiercely on his conch, like a lion roaring. Conches, Kettledrums, horns and tabors blew suddenly. The noise was tremendous. Standing in their white-horsed chariot, Krishna and Arjuna blew their conches. Krishna's conch was called Panchajanya, Arjuna's Devadatta, and Bhima's Paundra. And Yudhisthira blew his conch of Endless Victory, Nakula his of Honey Tone, And Sahadeva his called the Jewel Blossom. Each blew his own conch -- the supreme archer, the King of Varanasi, the mighty charioteer Sikhandin, Dhristadyumna, Virata and the undefeated Satyaki; Drupada, too, and Darupadi's sons, and the strong-muscled Abhimanyu. And thunderous peal after peal, crashing through heaven and earth,

8 (See the List of Bhagavad Gita Translations in the Main Document) 8 of 23 shattered the morale of Dhritarashtra's camp. 27. Fathers-in-law, and companions in both armies. And looking at all these kinsmen so arrayed, Arjuna, the son of Kunti, 28. Was overcome by deep compassion; and in despair he said: "Krishna, when I see these my own people eager to fight, on the brink, 29. My limbs grow heavy, and my mouth is parched, my body trembles, and my hair bristles, 30. My bow, Gandiva, falls from my hand, my skin's on fire, I can no longer stand -- my mind is reeling, 31. I see evil omens, Krishna: nothing good can come from slaughtering one's own family in battle -- I foresee it! 32. I have no desire for victory, Krishna, or kingship, or pleasures. What should we do with kingship, Govinda? What are pleasures to us? What is life? 33. The men for whose sake we desire kingship, enjoyment, and pleasures are precisely those drawn up for this battle, having abandoned their lives and riches. 34. Teachers, fathers, sons, as well as grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and kinsmen I have no desire to kill them, Madhusudana, though they are killers themselves -- no, not for the lordship of the three worlds, let alone the earth! 36. Where is the joy for us, Janardana, in destroying Dhritarashtra's people? Having killed these murderers, evil would attach itself to us. 37. It follows, therefore, that we are not required to kill the sons of Dhritarashtra -- they are our own kinsmen, and having killed our own people, how could we be happy, Madhava? 38. And even if, because their minds are overwhelmed by greed, they cannot see the evil incurred by destroying one's own family, and the degradation involved in the betrayal of a friend, 39. How can we be so ignorant as not to recoil from this wrong? The evil incurred by destroying one's own family is plain to see, Janardana. 40. With the destruction of family the eternal family laws are lost; when the law is destroyed, lawlessness overpowers the entire family. 41. Krishna, because of overpowering lawlessness, the women of the family are corrupted; when women are corrupted, Varshneya, there is intermingling of the four estates. 42. And intermingling leads to hell for the family -- destroyers and the family, for their ancestors, robbed of their rice-ball and water offerings, fall back. 43. Through these evils of the family-destroyers, which cause intermingling of the four estates, caste laws and the eternal family laws are obliterated. 44. For men whose family laws have been obliterated we have heard that a place in hell is certain, Janardana. 45. Oh, ignominy! We are about to perpetrate a great evil -- out of sheer greed for kingdoms and pleasures, we are prepared to kill our own people. 46. It would be better for me if Dhritarashtra's armed men were to kill me in battle, unresisting and unarmed." 47. Having spoken this on the field of conflict, Arjuna sank down into the chariot, letting slip his bow and arrow, his mind distracted with grief. Seeing Dhritarashtra's men eager for war, and battle impending, Arjuna lifted his bow and turned to Krishna. ARJUNA SAID: Take my chariot, Krishna, between the two camps; let me know my enemy before I fight him. Who are the ones gathered here for bloodshed, flatterers of evil Duryodhana on sacred Kurukshetra? Krishna took the glittering chariot midfield, facing Bhishma, Drona and the lords of the earth, and said: "Here are the Kauravas, Arjuna." Arjuna saw, in the camps of both, his uncles and grandfathers, his brothers and cousins, his sons and grandsons, his friends, teachers, and acquaintances. He saw his kinsmen assembled for war, and pity stirred in him. ARJUNA SAID: I have seen my kinsmen gathered for war; my mouth is dry with fear, my limbs refuse to listen to me; trembling seizes me; my skin chafes, and the divine bow slips from my hand. Neither can I stand erect; my mind whirls and unholy omens appear before my eyes. In killing my brothers, Krishna, I cannot see anything noble -- I do not want this victory, this glory, this happiness. What is glory to us, Krishna, What are pleasures and life, if those who from us deserve glory, pleasure and life, are ready to fight us, having given up the world's delights -- our uncles, sons and our grandfathers, our teachers, our eldest kinsmen, our dearest friends, too. I would not kill them, not for the three worlds, let alone the earth, O Krishna. I had rather they killed me. What joy is there in slaying Dhritarashtra's sons? It is a terrible sin. I will not kill my kinsmen, Krishna; how could happiness be mine if I murder my brothers? Their reason obscured by greed, they may see no evil in the disunion of brothers, in hate against friends; but we, Krishna, we, the clear of mind who understand right and wrong -- should we not refrain from such evil acts?

9 (See the List of Bhagavad Gita Translations in the Main Document) 9 of 23 Honor disappears in the family when the family breaks up; and honor disappearing, impiety takes over. Where impiety rules, the women are corrupted; with the women corrupted, even caste is endangered. Intermixture of castes spells doom for the family as well as for the destroyers of the family; the spirits of the ancestors fall, denied rice-and-water homage. And by this looseness of the destroyers of the family is the age-old dharma of caste and the family destroyed. We have heard, Krishna, hell awaits the families which discard dharma. What a terrible thing it is to kill brothers, and cast covetous eyes on their land! Let the sons of Dhritarashtra kill me. I will not protest. Better be killed than kill. SANJAYA SAID: Arjuna flung away his bow and quiver, and slumped down on the seat of his glittering chariot, heavy with sorrow. Juan Mascaro translation [a Cambridge University scholar and translator of other works of the literature of India]: DHRITA-RASHTRA 1. On the field of Truth, on the battlefield of life, what came to pass, Sanjaya, when my sons and their warriors faced those of my brother Pandu? SANJAYA 2. When your son Duryodhana saw the armies of the sons of Pandu, he went to his master in the art of war and spoke to him these words: 3. "See there, master, the vast army of the Pandavas well set in order of battle by the son of Drupada, your own wise pupil. 4. There can we see heroic warriors, powerful archers, as great as Bhima and Arjuna in battle: Yuyudahana and Virata and king Drupada of the great chariot of war. 5. And Dhrishta-ketu of the steadfast banner, and Chekitana, the king of the Chedis. We see the heroic king of Kasi, and Purujit the conqueror, and his brother Kunti-bhoja, and Saibya mighty among men. 6. And victorious Yudhamanyu, and powerful Uttamaujas; and Subhadra, the son of Arjuna, and the five princes of queen Draupadi. See them all in their chariots of war. 7. But hear also the names of our greatest warriors, the leaders of my own army. I will bring them to your memory. 8. There is yourself, my master in war, and also Bhishma, old and wise. There is Karna, the enemy of Arjuna, his half brother; and Kripa, victory of battles. There is your own son Asvatthama, and Barbara Stoler Miller translation [Miller was an endowed professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures at Barnard College in Columbia University, a leading translator of Sanskrit literature, and expert Indologist]: DHRITARASHTRA [1] Sanjaya, tell me what my sons and the sons of Pandu did when they met, wanting to batle on the field of Kuru, on the field of sacred duty. SANJAYA [2] Your son Duryodhana, the king, seeing the Pandava forces arrayed, approached his teacher Drona and spoke in command. [3] "My teacher, see the great Pandava army arrayed by Drupada's son, your pupil, intent on revenge. [4] Here are heroes, mighty archers equal to Bhima and ARjuna in warfare, Yuyudhana, Virata, and Drupada, your sworn foe on his great chariot. [5] Here, too, are Dhrishtaketu, Cekitana, and the brave king of Benares;

10 (See the List of Bhagavad Gita Translations in the Main Document) 10 of 23 also my brother Vikarna. There is Saumadatti, king of the Bahikas. 9. And many other heroic warriors ready to give their lives for me -- all armed with manifold weapons, and al of them masters of war. 10. We can number our armies led by Bhishma, but innumerable seem their armies led by Bhima. 11. Stand therefore all firm in the line of battle. Let us all defend our leader Bhishma. 12. To encourage Duryodhana, Bishma, the glorious old warrior of the Kurus, sounded loud his war-cry like the roar of a lion, and then blew his far-sounding conch-shell. 13. Then the rumbling of war drums, the stirring sound of cymbals and trumpets, and the roaring of conch-shells and horns filled the sky with a fearful thunder. 14. Thereupon Khrishna of Madhava and Arjuna, the son of Pandu, standing in their glorious chariot drawn by white horses, answered the challenge and blew their divine conch-shells. 15. Khirshna, the Lord of the soul, blew his conch-shell Pancha-janya. Arjuna, the winner of treasure, sounded forth his own Deva-datta. His brother Bhima, of tremendous feats, blew his great conch-shell the Paundra. 16. Their eldest brother, king Hudhisthira, sounded his Eternal-Victory; and Nakula and Sahadeva the Sweet-sounding and the Jewel-blossom. 17. And the king of Kasi of the powerful bow, and Sihandi of the great war chariot, Dhrishta-dyumna and Virata, and Satyaki the never conquered; 18. And king Drupada and the sons of his daughter Draupadi; and Saubhadra, the heroic son of Arjuna, sounded from all sides their conch-shells of war. 19. At that fearful sound the earth and the heavens trembled, and also trembled the hearts of Duryodhana and his warriors. 20. The flight of arrows was now to begin and Arjuna, on whose banner was the symbol of an ape, saw Duryodhana and his warriors drawn up in their lines of battle. He thereupon took up his bow. 21. And spoke these words to Krishna: ARJUNA Drive my chariot, Krishna immortal, and place it between the two armies, 22. That I may see those warriors who stand there eager for battle, with whom I must now fight at the beginning of this war. 23. That I may see those who have come here eager and ready to fight, in their desire to do the will of the evil son of Dhrita-rashtra. SANJAYA 24. When Krishna heard the words of Arjuna, he drove their glorious chariot and placed it between the two armies. 25. And facing Bhishma and Drona and other royal rulers, he said: "See, Arjuna, the armies of the Kurus, gathered here on this field of battle." 26. Then Arjuna saw in both armies fathers, grandfathers, 27. sons, grandsons; fathers of wives, uncles, masters, 28. brothers, companions, and friends. When Arjuna thus saw his kinsmen face to face in both lines of battle, he was overcome by grief and despair and thus he wpoke with a sinking heart. ARJUNA When I see all my kinsmen, Krishna, who have come here on this field of battle, 29. Life goes from my limbs and they sink, and my mouth is sear and dry; a trembling overcomes my body, and my hair shudders in horror; 30. My great bow Gandiva falls from my hands, and the skin over my flesh is burning; I am no longer able to stand, because my mind is whirling and wandering. Purujuit, Kuntibhoja, and the manly king of the Shibis. [6]Yudhamanyu is bold, and Uttamaujus is brave; the sons of Subhadra and Draupadi all command great chariots. [7] Now, honored priest, mark the superb men on our side As I tell you the names of my army's leaders. [8] They are you and Bhishma, Karna and Kripa, a victor in battles, your own son Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and the son of Somadatta. [9] Many other heroes also risk their lives for my sake, bearing varied weapons and skilled in the ways of war. [10] Guarded by Bhishma, the strength of our army is without limit; but the strength of their army, guarded by Bhima, is limited. [11] In all the movements of battle, you and your men, stationed according to plan, must guard Bhishma well!" [12] Bhishma, fiery elder of the Kurus, roared his lion's roar and blew his conch horn, exciting Duryodhana's delight. [13] Conches and kettledrums, cymbals, tabors, and trumpets were sounded at once and the din of tumult arose. [14] Standing on their great chariot yoked with white stallions, Krishna and Arjuna, Pandu's son, sounded their divine conches. [15] Krishna blew Pancajanya, won from a demon; Arjuna blew Devadatta, a gift of the gods; fierce wolf-bellied Bhima blew Paundra, his great conch of the east. [16] Yuddhisthira, Kunti's son, the king, blew Anantavijaya, conch of boundless victory; his twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva blew conches resonant and jewel toned. [17] The king of Benares, a superb archer, and Shikhandin on his great chariot, Drishtadyumna, Virata, and indomitable Satyaki, all blew their conches. [18] Drupada, with his five grandsons and Subhadra's strong-armed son,

11 (See the List of Bhagavad Gita Translations in the Main Document) 11 of 23 each in turn blew their conches, O King. 31. And I see forebodings of evil, Krishna. I cannot foresee any glory if I kill my own kinsmen in the sacrifice of battle 32. Because I have no wish for victory, Krishna, nor for a kingdom, nor for its pleasures. How can we want a kingdom, Govinda, or its pleasures or even life, 33. When those for whom we want a kingdom, and its pleasures, and the joys of life, are here in this field of battle about to give up their wealth and their life? 34. Facing us in the field of battle are teachers, fathers and sons; grandsons, grandfathers, wives' brothers; mothers' brothers and fathers of wives. 35. These I do not wish to slay, even if I myself am slain.not even for the kingdom of three worlds: how much less for a kingdom of the earth! 36. If we kill these evil men, evil shall fall upon us: what joy in their death could we have, O janardana, mover of souls? 37. I cannot therefore kill my own kinsmen, the sons of king Dhritsa-rashtra, the brother of my own father. What happiness could we ever enjoy, if we killed our own kinsmen in battle? 38. Even if they, with minds overcome by greed, see no evil in the destruction of a family, see no sin in the treachery to friends, 39. Shall we not, who see the evil of destruction, shall we not refrain from this terrible deed? 40. The destruction of a family destroys its rituals of righteousness, and when the righteous rituals are no more, unrighteousness overcomes the whole family. 41. When unrighteous disorder prevails, the women sin and are impure; and when women are not pure, Krishna, there is disorder of castes, social confusion. 42. This disorder carries down to hell the family and the destroyers of the family. The spirits of their dead suffer in pain when deprived of the ritual offerings. 43. Those evil deeds of the destroyers of a family, which cause this social disorder, destroy the righteousness of birth and the ancestral rituals of righteousness. 44. And have we not heard that hell is waiting for those whose familiar rituals of righteousness are no more? 45. O day of darkness! What evil spirit moved our minds when for the sake of an earthly kingdom we came to this field of battle ready to kill our own people? 46. Better for me indeed if the sons of Dhrita-rashtra, with arms in hand, found me unarmed, unresisting, and killed me in the sruggle of war. SANJAYA 47. Thus spoke Arjuna in the field of battle, and letting fall his bow and arrows, he sank down in his chariot, his soul overcome by despair and grief. [19] The noise tore the hearts of Dhritarashtra's sons, and tumult echoed through heaven and earth. [20] Arjuna, his war flag a rampant monkey, saw Dhritarashtra's sons assembled as weapons were ready to clash, and he lifted his bow. [21] He told his charioteer: "Krishna, halt my chariot between the armies! [22] Far enough for me to see these men who lust for war, ready to fight with me in the strain of battle. [23] I see men gathered here, eager to fight, bent on serving the folly of Dhritarashtra's son." [24] When Arjuna had spoken, Krishna halted their splendid chariot between the armies. [25] Facing Bhishma and Drona and all the great kings, he said, "Arjuna, see the Kuru men assembled here!" [26] Arjuna saw them standing there: fathers, grandfathers, teachers, uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends. [27] He surveyed his elders and companions in both armies, all his kinsmen assembled together. [28] Dejected, filled with strange pity, he said this: "Krishna, I see my kinsmen gathered here, wanting war. [29] My limbs sink, my mouth is parched, my body trembles, the hair bristles on my flesh. [30] The magic bow slips from my hand, my skin burns, I cannot stand still, my mind reels. [31] I see omens of chaos, Krishna; I see no good

12 (See the List of Bhagavad Gita Translations in the Main Document) 12 of 23 in killing my kinsmen in battle. [32] Krishna, I seek no victory, or kingship or pleasures. What use to us are kingship, delights, or life itself? [33] We sought kingship, delights, and pleasures for the sake of those assembled to abandon their lives and fortunes in battle. [34] They are teachers, fathers, sons, and grandfathers, uncles, grandsons, fathers and brothers of wives, and other men of our family. [35] I do not want to kill tghem even if I am killed, Krishna; not for the kingship of all three worlds, much less for the earth! [36] What joy is there for us, Krishna, in killing Dhritarashtra's sons? Evil will haunt us if we kill them, though their bows are drawn to kill. [37] Honor forbids us to kill our cousins, Dhritarashtra's sons; how can we know happiness if we kill our own kinsmen? [38] The greed that distorts their reason blinds them to the sin they commit in ruining the family, blinds them to the crime of betraying friends. [39] How can we ignore the wisdom of turning from this evil when we see the sin of family destruction, Krishna? [40] When the family is ruined, the timeless laws of family duty perish; and when duty is lost, chaos overwhelms the family. [41] In overwhelming chaos, Krishna, women of the family are corrupted; and when women are corupted, disorder is born in society. [42] This discord drags the violators and the family itself to hell; for ancestors fall when rites of offering rice and water lapse. [43] The sins of men who violate the family create disorder in society that undermines the constant laws of caste and family duty. [44] Krishna, we have heard that a place in hell

13 (See the List of Bhagavad Gita Translations in the Main Document) 13 of 23 is reserved for men who undermine family duties. [45] I lament the great sin we commit when our greed for kingship and pleasures drives us to kill our kinsmen. [46] If Dhritarashtra's armed sons kill me in battle when I am unarmed and offer no resistance, it will be my reward." [47] Saying this in the time of war, Arjuna slumped into the chariot and laid down his bow and arrows, his mind tormented by grief. Stephen Mitchell translation [Mitchell is primarily a poet, who has relied on the literal translations of others to create translations of the Hebrew Bible as well the Bhagavad Gita; for the Gita, Mitchell relied heavily on the translation, transliteration, and notes of Winthrop Sargeant's 1984 translation of the Gita] [Mitchell translates book 1 as prose, the remainder as poetry, in quatrains]: KING DHRITARASHTRA SAID: In the field of righteousness, the field of Kuru, tell me Sanjaya, what happened when my army and the Pandavas faced each other, eager for battle? THE POET SANJAYA SAID: Seeing the ranks of Pandavas' forces, Prince Duryodhana approached his teacher, Drona, and spoke these words: "Look at this great army, led by the son of Drupada, your worthy pupil. Many great warriors stand ready to do battle, many great archers, men as formidable as Bhima and ARjuna: Yuyudhana, Virata, the mighty Drupada, Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, the heroic king of Benares, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, Shaibya that bull among men, bold Yudhamanyu, Uttamaujas famous for his courage, the son of Subhadra, and the sons of Draupadi, all of them great warriors. Now, most honored of priests, look at the great men on our side, the leaders of my army: you, first of all, then Bhishma, Karna, the always-victorious Kripa, Ashvatthama, Vikarna, the son of Somadatta, and many other heroes -- all of them skilled in war and armed with many kinds of weapons -- who are risking their lives for my sake. Limitless is this army of ours, led by Bhishma; but their army, led by Bhima, is limited. Wherever the battle moves, all of you must stand firm and make sure that Bhishma is well protected." Then Bhishma, the aged grandfather of the Kurus, roared his lion's roar and blew a powerful blast on his conch horn, and Duryodhana's heart leapt with joy. Immediately all the conches blared, and the kettledrums, cymbals, trumpets, and drums: a deafening clamor. Standing in their great chariot yoked with white horses, Krishna and ARjuna blew their celestial conches: Krishna blew the conch called "Won from the Demon Panchajanya"; Arjuna blew "God Given"; ferocious, wolf-bellied Bhima blew the mighty conch calleld "King Paundra"; Prince Yuhisthira blew "Unending Victory"; Nakula and his twin, Sahadeva, blew "Great Noise" and "Jewel Bracelet"; the king of Benares that superb archer, the great warrior Shikhandi, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, the unconquerable Satyaki, Drupada, Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood translation [Prabhavananda was a Guru in the Hindu faith, while Christopher Isherwood was not only a devotee but an important author in twentieth-century British literature] (this translation abridges, with a brief three-paragraph summary, all the verses up to Arjuna's order to Krishna about parking the chariot between the opposing armies): DHRITARASHTRA: Tell me, Sanjaya, what my sons and the sons of Pandu did, when they gathered on the sacred field of Kurukshetra eager for battle? ARJUNA: Krishna the changeless, Halt my chariot There where the warriors, Bold for the battle, Face their foemen. Between the armies There let me see them, The men I must fight with, Gathered together Now at the bidding Of him their leader, Blind Dhritarashtra's Evil offspring: Such are my foes In the war that is coming. SANJAYA (TO DHRITARASHTRA): Then Krishna, subduer of the senses, thus requested by ARjuna, the conqueror of sloth, drove that most splendid of chariots into a place betweeen the two armies, confronting Bhisma, Drona and all those other rulers of the earth. And he said: "O Prince, behold the assembled Kurus!" Then the prince looked on the army, and in both armies he recognized fathers and grandfathers, teachers, uncles, sons, brothers, grandsons, fathers-in-law, dear friends, and many other familiar faces. When Kunti's son saw all those ranks of kinsmen, he was filled