Verse-20-21
Chapter 1 — Arjun Vishād Yog
Verse 20-21
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
atha vyavasthitāndṛṣṭvā dhārtarāṣṭrān kapidhvajaḥ
pravṛtte śastrasampāte dhanurudyamya pāṇḍavaḥ
|| Arjuna uvaacha ||
senayorubhayormadhye rathaṁ sthāpaya me'cyuta
yāvadetānnirīkṣe'haṁ yoddhukāmānavasthitān
🕉 English Translation
📜 Translation
English
O King! Thereafter Arjun whose banner bore the insignia of Hanuman (ape) beholding the relatives of Dhritrashtra standing in battle order at time when the war weapons were about to be used, took up his bow and spoke these words to Hrishikesh, Lord Shri Krishna–O Achyuta! (the Faultless) place my chariot in the midst of the two armies.
🎬 Video Discourse
The word 'Atha' is important it means the beginning. The beginning of what? The readiness for using the weapons was there. The beginning of the war is implied, but the word Atha is giving deeper signs. From here is about to begin the Holy Sermon of the Gita. With the beginning of the use of the weapons this verse is also the readiness for the Gita's Inspiration. Here is the foundation of Gita's Sermon. Arjun on observing the readiness of the Kaurava army readied his bow.
By using the word 'Kapidhwaj' the insignia of the ape on the flag on the chariot of Arjun, Sanjay is alerting Dhritrashtra: the ape God Hanuman ensconced on the chariot of Arjun and who has incomparable strength, is keeping his word given to Bhim that during the war by roaring like a lion he would demotivate the Kauravas and encourage the Pandavas. This verse contains an important message in the words "Senyurbhayumadhey ratham Sthapit Mein Achyuta" O Infallible Shri Krishna! Take my chariot in the midst of the two armies. Arjun has spoken for the first time in this chapter and in the order of Gita's sermon. But he spoke in a manner which made the Gita mystic and thrilled. One feels wonderstruck on observing that the One who holds the reins of the three worlds is ready to become the charioteer of Arjun's chariot, holding the reins of horses in his hands.
Arjun is seated on a higher seat than the Lord. Not only this it is more astounding that Arjun is giving orders and the Lord is obeying them. In fact, this expression of deep affection indicates the divinity of single pointedness of devotion and surrender. He who has overcome his ego, the Lord becomes inclined towards him and the otherwise absolute free authority becomes attached to the devotee. Why should the chariot be taken in the midst of the two armies? To clarify this, Arjun speaks further.