tatrāpaśhyat sthitān pārthaḥ pitṝīn atha pitāmahān
āchāryān mātulān bhrātṝīn putrān pautrān sakhīṁs tathā
śhvaśhurān suhṛidaśh chaiva senayor ubhayor api
tatra — there;
apaśhyat — saw;
sthitān — stationed;
pārthaḥ — Arjun;
pitṝīn — fathers;
atha — thereafter;
pitāmahān — grandfathers;
āchāryān — teachers;
mātulān — maternal uncles;
bhrātṝīn — brothers;
putrān — sons;
pautrān — grandsons;
sakhīn — friends;
tathā — also;
śhvaśhurān — fathers-in-law;
suhṛidaḥ — well-wishers;
cha — and;
eva — indeed;
senayoḥ — armies;
ubhayoḥ — in both armies;
api — also
In this verse, Arjuna, the main character in the Bhagavad Gita, is looking at the battlefield where two armies are gathered. As he scans the scene, he sees many familiar faces, which deeply affects him.
First, Arjuna notices his fathers and grandfathers. These are not just family members but also people he respects and holds dear, like Bhisma, who is not only his grandfather but also a wise elder, and Somadatta, who he might view similarly. There is a strong emotional impact knowing that his loved ones are on the opposite side of the battlefield.
Next, Arjuna sees his teachers, like Dronacharya and Krpacarya. These teachers have guided him in his learning and development, so seeing them as part of the enemy forces makes him feel conflicted. He has been trained by them, and they are like mentors who have shaped him, which adds to his turmoil.
Arjuna then spots his maternal uncles, who are his mother’s brothers. Family ties are strong, and spotting uncles like Salya and Sakuni reminds him of his family connections, making the situation even more complicated emotionally.
Moving beyond family, Arjuna identifies his own brothers; for example, he can see Duryodhana. Duryodhana is one of his cousins and the leader of the opposing side, which intensifies his feelings of sadness and distress. Then there are other relations like his sons and grandsons, further reminding him of the familial bonds that will be broken if he goes into battle.
He also sees friends and allies, such as Asvatthama and Krtavarma, who he would normally have fought alongside but now have become part of the opposing army. This adds another layer of sorrow as he realizes that not only family, but also friends, are now in danger.
All of these realizations lead to a profound emotional reaction. Arjuna’s heart is filled with compassion and sorrow as he contemplates fighting against those he loves. The sight of so many beloved ones, each representing connections, memories, and shared experiences, fills him with anguish and reluctance to fight. Instead of feeling strong and ready for battle, he feels weak and conflicted. This moment emphasizes the deep moral and emotional struggle he experiences when faced with the reality of battle against his own kin.