bhīṣhma-droṇa-pramukhataḥ sarveṣhāṁ cha mahī-kṣhitām
uvācha pārtha paśhyaitān samavetān kurūn iti
bhīṣhma — Grandsire Bheeshma;
droṇa — Dronacharya;
pramukhataḥ — in the presence;
sarveṣhām — all;
cha — and;
mahī-kṣhitām — other kings;
uvācha — said;
pārtha — Arjun, the son of Pritha;
paśhya — behold;
etān — these;
samavetān — gathered;
kurūn — descendants of Kuru;
iti — thus
In this part of the Bhagavad Gita, we see a crucial moment on the battlefield. Krishna, who is a close companion and charioteer of Arjuna, addresses him while they are in front of the powerful warriors. Bheeshma and Dronacharya are prominent figures, respected and feared by many. By saying 'behold the Kurus,' Krishna is urging Arjuna to look at his cousins, friends, and relatives who are on the opposing side. This is important because these are people Arjuna knows well; they are part of his family and friends.
The name 'Hrsikesa' means Krishna, who is considered the 'Lord of the senses.' This name signifies that Krishna is aware of everything happening around him, including what Arjuna is feeling inside. You see, at this moment, Arjuna is struggling with a big decision. He is torn between his duty to fight in the war and his feelings of compassion for those he would have to face, many of whom are his relatives.
When Krishna calls Arjuna 'Partha,' he is reminding him of his roots. Partha means the son of Pritha (Kunti), who is Krishna's aunt. This connection shows the deep bond and friendship they share. Krishna is not just Arjuna's charioteer; he is also his family and his friend. He wants Arjuna to remember that they are related and that he has taken on this role in order to help Arjuna succeed.
Krishna's instructions to look across the battlefield are significant. He is trying to shift Arjuna's focus away from his feelings of fear and sorrow, and instead, to see the reality of the situation he is in. The implication here is that while Arjuna might be feeling hesitant about fighting, he needs to understand that this battle is not just about him; it is a conflict that involves his entire family and community.
Krishna is subtly challenging Arjuna's thoughts, perhaps even teasing him a little for having doubts about fighting. He probably expected Arjuna to be brave, as he always has been, not to shrink back from the challenge. Krishna wanted him to confront the reality of the situation and recognize his responsibilities. This highlights the complexity of human emotions in difficult situations—how love and duty can conflict with one another.
Overall, this verse captures a moment where Krishna intervenes to guide Arjuna, making him face the situation directly, and helping him to see the bigger picture while also nurturing their personal relationship.