atha vyavasthitān dṛiṣhṭvā dhārtarāṣhṭrān kapi-dhwajaḥ
pravṛitte śhastra-sampāte dhanurudyamya pāṇḍavaḥ
hṛiṣhīkeśhaṁ tadā vākyam idam āha mahī-pate
atha — thereupon;
vyavasthitān — arrayed;
dṛiṣhṭvā — seeing;
dhārtarāṣhṭrān — Dhritarashtra’s sons;
kapi-dwajaḥ — the Monkey Bannered;
pravṛitte — about to commence;
śhastra-sampāte — to use the weapons;
dhanuḥ — bow;
udyamya — taking up;
pāṇḍavaḥ — Arjun, the son of Pandu;
hṛiṣhīkeśham — to Shree Krishna;
tadā — at that time;
vākyam — words;
idam — these;
āha — said;
mahī-pate — King
At this moment, the battle was about to begin. We see Arjuna, who is seated in his chariot. The chariot is a significant position in a war, and it symbolizes readiness to fight. Arjuna's chariot had a flag with the symbol of Hanuman, which is not just a decoration. Hanuman is a well-known figure in Indian mythology known for his strength, loyalty, and ability to help in difficult situations. This flag represents hope and victory because Hanuman is associated with the success of Lord Rama in his battle against the demon king Ravana. So, having this symbol on his chariot reminds everyone that victory is possible with the right guidance and support.
At this critical moment, Arjuna takes up his bow, which is an important action because it shows he is ready to fight. He is looking at the sons of Dhritarashtra, his cousins and opponents, who are lined up on the battlefield. This gaze tells us he is mentally preparing to engage in the battle.
Moreover, Arjuna speaks to Krishna, who is also on his chariot. Krishna, who is his charioteer, is a divine guide and protector for Arjuna. This is crucial because having someone wise and knowledgeable beside you can make a big difference when faced with challenges. Krishna represents the ultimate wisdom and support, suggesting that Arjuna has no reason to fear the battle. The presence of Krishna and the symbol of Hanuman signifies that Arjuna has the strength and guidance he needs to succeed.
In this interpretation, we can see that Arjuna is not just fighting for himself; he is standing up for righteousness and his family's honor. The context indicates that Arjuna is filled with confidence due to the auspicious signs around him—the strong military presence, the guidance of Lord Krishna, and the inspirational symbol of Hanuman. Therefore, this moment is about preparation, courage, and the belief that he can triumph in a seemingly impossible situation.