Dhritarashtra uvacha | Dharma-kshetre Kuru-kshetre samavetaa yuyutsavah | Mamakaah Pandavaashcha eva kim akurvata Sanjaya ||1||
Translation
Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do after assembling on the holy field of Kurukshetra, eager to fight?
Word-by-Word Meaning
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
Dhritarashtra said
धर्मक्षेत्रे
on the field of dharma
कुरुक्षेत्रे
at Kurukshetra
समवेताः
assembled
युयुत्सवः
desiring to fight
मामकाः
my sons
पाण्डवाः च एव
and the sons of Pandu
किम् अकुर्वत
what did they do
सञ्जय
O Sanjaya
Commentary
Commentary
The Bhagavad Gita opens with a question from the blind king Dhritarashtra to his charioteer Sanjaya. This opening verse sets the stage for one of the greatest philosophical dialogues in human history.
The significance of the opening words: Dhritarashtra calls Kurukshetra dharma-kshetra — the field of righteousness. This is not merely a geographical description but a profound acknowledgment that what is about to unfold is a conflict between dharma (righteousness) and adharma (unrighteousness).
Dhritarashtra’s blindness is both physical and metaphorical. His attachment to his sons (māmakāḥ — “my sons”) and his desire for them to prevail reveals the fundamental human tendency toward partiality and ignorance (avidyā).
The fact that the battle takes place on dharma-kshetra signifies that ultimately, dharma will prevail — a hint at the outcome that the blind king could not perceive.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Bhagavad Gita 1.1 mean?
- Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do after assembling on the holy field of Kurukshetra, eager to fight?
- What is the Sanskrit text of Bhagavad Gita 1.1?
- The original Sanskrit verse is: Dhritarashtra uvacha | Dharma-kshetre Kuru-kshetre samavetaa yuyutsavah | Mamakaah Pandavaashcha eva kim akurvata Sanjaya ||1||
- What are the key themes of this verse?
- This verse explores: dharma, war, duty, kurukshetra.