Chapter 1 · Arjuna Vishada Yoga - The Yoga of Arjuna's DespondencyArjuna
Verse 22
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 1, श्लोक 22
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान्।
कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन्रणसमुद्यमे॥२२॥
Transliteration
Yavad-Etan-Niriksha'ham Yoddhu-Kaman-Avasthitan.
Kair-Maya Saha Yoddhavyam-Asmin Rana-Samudyame.||22||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
यावत्yavatso that
एतान्etanthese
निरीक्षेniriksheI may observe
अहम्ahamI
योद्धुकामान्yoddhu-kamandesiring to fight
अवस्थितान्avasthitanassembled
कैःkaihwith whom
मयाmayaby me
योद्धव्यम्yoddhavyamto be fought
अस्मिन्asminin this
रणसमुद्यमेrana-samudyamegreat battle effort
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
ताकि मैं इन युद्ध की इच्छा रखने वाले योद्धाओं को देख सकूँ कि इस युद्ध में मुझे किन-किन से लड़ना है।
English Translation
So that I may observe those who stand here eager to fight, and know with whom I must contend in this great battle.
Commentary (टीका)
Arjuna's request seems military in nature — a commander wanting to assess the opposition. Yet destiny has arranged that this strategic observation will transform into an existential crisis when he recognizes his own relatives among the enemy ranks.