Followed by the sounding of the conches, the battle was about to commence. Upon (atha) seeing (dṛṣṭvā) the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (dhārtarāṣṭrān) stationed there for the battle (vyavasthitān), Arjuna (pāṇḍavaḥ), who carries the flag of Hanumān (kapi-dhvajaḥ), taking up (udyamya) his bow (dhanur), about to (pravṛtte) release his arrows (śastra-sampāte), then (tadā) spoke (āha) these (idam) words (vākyam) to Krishna, the Master of the senses (hṛṣīkeśaṁ). (BG 1.20)
“O Infallible One (acute), please place (sthāpaya) my (me) chariot (rathaṁ) between (madhye) both armies (senayor ubhayor) so that (yāvad) I may see (nirīkṣe ’haṁ) those (etān) present here (avasthitān) – who desire to fight (yoddhu-kāmān), and with whom (kair) I must contend (mayā saha yoddhavyam) in this (asmin) great battle (raṇa-samudyame). (BG 1.21-22) I want to see (avekṣe ’haṁ) those who have come to fight (yotsyamānān), wishing to please (priya-cikīrṣavaḥ) the evil-minded (durbuddher) son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (dhārtarāṣṭrasya) in the battle (yuddhe). (BG 1.23)”
Thus (evam) requested (ukto) by the conqueror of sleep [Arjuna] (guḍākeśena), the Master of the senses [Krishna] (hṛṣīkeśo) placing (sthāpayitvā) the supreme chariot (rathottamam) between (madhye) both armies (senayor ubhayor), spoke (uvāca) in front of (pramukhataḥ) Bhīṣma (bhīṣma), Droṇa (droṇa) and (ca) all (sarveṣāṁ) the rulers of the Earth (mahī-kṣitām), “Arjuna (pārtha), behold these (paśyaitān) assembled Kurus (samavetān kurūn iti).” (BG 1.24–25) With these words, Krishna induces bewilderment in Arjuna.
There (tatrā), Arjuna (pārthaḥ) saw (apaśyat) his fathers (pitṝn), grandfathers (atha pitāmahān), teachers (ācāryān), maternal uncles (mātulān), brothers (bhrātṝn), sons (putrān), grandsons (pautrān), friends (sakhīṁs tathā), fathers-in-law (śvaśurān), and well-wishers (suhṛdaś caiva), situated (sthitān) in both armies (senayor ubhayor api). (BG 1.26)
Upon beholding (tān samīkṣya) all (sarvān) the near and dear (bandhūn) assembled there (avasthitān), Arjuna (sa kaunteyaḥ) became overwhelmed with (parayāviṣṭo) compassion (kṛpayā) and spoke thus (idam abravīt) in a grief-stricken condition (viṣīdann). (BG 1.27) Under the spell of Krishna’s bewilderment, Arjuna is overwhelmed and no longer ready to fight.
