Chapter 1Verse 23 of 47

Bhagavad Gita 1.23

योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः । धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः ॥

yotsyamānān avekṣe 'haṃ ya ete 'tra samāgatāḥ | dhārtarāṣṭrasya durbuddher yuddhe priya-cikīrṣavaḥ ||

Translation

For I would observe those who are about to engage in battle, assembled here, eager to do in war what is dear to the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra.

The opposing army is still abstract in his mind. They are those eager to please Duryodhana. A category, not a list of fathers. Notice the word he uses for Duryodhana: durbuddhi, evil-minded. Stating the cause in moral terms is how Arjuna gets himself to the middle of the field. It is also the last time in the chapter he will speak about them in those terms.

Reflection

Who would change for you if you stopped using a label and used their name?

Read this verse in its chapter: Chapter One

Ask the Gita about this verse →