Chapter 1 · Arjuna Vishada Yoga - The Yoga of Arjuna's DespondencySanjaya
Verse 20
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 1, श्लोक 20
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान्कपिध्वजः।
प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः॥२०॥
Transliteration
Atha Vyavasthitan Drishtva Dhartarashtran Kapi-Dhvajah.
Pravritte Shastra-Sampate Dhanur-Udyamya Pandavah.||20||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
अथathathen
व्यवस्थितान्vyavasthitanarrayed
दृष्ट्वाdrishtvaseeing
धार्तराष्ट्रान्dhartarashtranthe sons of Dhritarashtra
कपिध्वजःkapi-dhvajahone with Hanuman on his flag (Arjuna)
प्रवृत्तेpravritteabout to begin
शस्त्रसम्पातेshastra-sampatethe clash of weapons
धनुःdhanuhbow
उद्यम्यudyamyaraising
पाण्डवःpandavahthe son of Pandu (Arjuna)
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
तत्पश्चात् जब शस्त्रों का प्रहार होने वाला था, तब हनुमान-ध्वज वाले अर्जुन ने धृतराष्ट्र के पुत्रों को व्यवस्थित देखकर अपना धनुष उठाया।
English Translation
Then, seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra arrayed for battle, as the clash of weapons was about to begin, Arjuna — whose flag bore the emblem of Hanuman — raised his bow.
Commentary (टीका)
The epithet 'Kapi-dhvajah' (Hanuman on his flag) is deeply significant. Hanuman represents devotion, strength, and selfless service — qualities that connect the Ramayana to the Mahabharata. Arjuna initially appears ready to fight, making his subsequent breakdown all the more dramatic.