Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 - The Depression of Arjuna

In the Bhagavad Gita - Text and Commentary by Sri Sivananda (Sivananda Press Durban SA) There are summaries of the Discourses (Chapters) which will be referred to in these post.

The great Mahabharata war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas took place on the holy plain of Kurukshetra. . After the failure of Lord Krishna's peace mission, when He Himself went to Hastipurna as the emissary of the Pandavas, there was no other alternative for the Pandavas but to engage in war for their rightful share of the kingdom.

All the famous warriors from both sides had assembled on the battlefield. Lord Krishna was acting as the charioteer of Arjuna who is one of the Pandava princes. This is the first discourse or chapter - The Yoga of the Despondency of Arjuna or The Depression of Arjuna. Dhritarashtra, the blind king is asking of Sanjaya to inform him of what happened when both sides assembled.

Arjuna asks Lord Krishna to bring the chariot between the two sides so that he can survey his opponents. He becomes bewildered, beholding on both sides the fathers, grandfathers, teachers and uncles, relatives and comrades. Arjuna becomes confused. He informs Krishna _ My limbs fail and my mouth is parched up , my body quivers, and my hair stands on end.! My skin burns, and the bow Gandiva has slips from my hand.I am unable even to stand; my mind is reeling.
Bhagavad Gita 1:28-30

Arjuna even speaks of seeing adverse omens, and does not see any good in killing his kinsmen in battle. He questions if it was proper to destroy one's relatives for the sake of a kingdom and some pleasures? Would it not be much better for him to surrender everything in favour of his enemies and retire in peace? With all of these thoughts, Arjuna becomes despondent and has not enthusiasm for the battle to take place. He lets the bow slip from his hands as he turns to Lord Krishna for enlightenment and guidance.