Chapter 1Verse 22 of 47

Bhagavad Gita 1.22

यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान् । कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन्रणसमुद्यमे ॥

yāvad etān nirīkṣe 'haṃ yoddhu-kāmān avasthitān | kair mayā saha yoddhavyam asmin raṇa-samudyame ||

Translation

Until I have surveyed these who stand here, eager to fight, and with whom in this commencement of battle I must contend.

Survey. Identify. With whom I must contend. The request is framed as reconnaissance. A general looks at his enemy before the lines move. Reasonable. The friction comes later, when looking turns into recognizing, and recognizing turns into refusing. For now, Arjuna believes he is preparing. Most collapses begin as preparations.

Reflection

What "let me just get more info" was the start of a no?

Read this verse in its chapter: Chapter One

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