Arjuna said: O Hrishikesha, place my chariot between the two armies, O Achyuta, until I can look at these men who wish to fight and see with whom I must battle in this war.
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 1.21
Hindi · हिन्दी
अर्जुन बोले हे अच्युत दोनों सेनाओं के मध्य में मेरे रथ को आप तब तक खड़ा कीजिये, जब तक मैं युद्धक्षेत्र में खड़े हुए इन युद्ध की इच्छावालों को देख न लूँ कि इस युद्धरूप उद्योग में मुझे किनकिन के साथ युद्ध करना योग्य है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
अर्जुन उवाचArjuna saidहृषीकेशंto Hrishikeshaतदाthenवाक्यम्wordsइदम्thisआहsaidमहीपतेO kingसेनयोःof the two armiesउभयोःbothमध्येin the middleरथम्chariotस्थापयplaceमेmyअच्युतO Achyuta
Read literallyArjuna said · to Hrishikesha · then · words · this · said · O king · of the two armies · both · in the middle · chariot · place · my · O Achyuta
Understanding the verse
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Arjuna asks Krishna, his charioteer, to drive between the armies so he can see whom he must fight.
01
In plain words
What this verse means
Arjuna asks Krishna to stop his chariot between the two armies so he can see who he must fight.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
The battle is about to begin and Arjuna has already raised his bow. Then he asks Krishna to place the chariot between the armies, because he wants one clear look at the people he is expected to fight before the first strike.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
Before signing the papers to sell the family house, you ask to walk through it one last time. Arjuna asks for the same thing: one look at the people before he acts.
The takeaway
“Before a hard act, he chooses to look clearly instead of rushing forward.”
Arjuna asks Krishna to stop his chariot between the two armies so he can see who he must fight.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 1.21?
Arjuna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Arjuna Vishada Yoga" (The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 1.21?
Verse 21 sits in Chapter 1 of the Bhagavad Gita — Arjuna Vishada Yoga, "The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair". The chapter has 47 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 1.21 matter today?
Before signing the papers to sell the family house, you ask to walk through it one last time. Arjuna asks for the same thing: one look at the people before he acts.
Arjuna asks Krishna, his charioteer, to drive between the armies so he can see whom he must fight.
What this verse means
Arjuna asks Krishna to stop his chariot between the two armies so he can see who he must fight.
Context & commentary
The battle is about to begin and Arjuna has already raised his bow. Then he asks Krishna to place the chariot between the armies, because he wants one clear look at the people he is expected to fight before the first strike.
What it looks like today
Before signing the papers to sell the family house, you ask to walk through it one last time. Arjuna asks for the same thing: one look at the people before he acts.
“Before a hard act, he chooses to look clearly instead of rushing forward.”
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses), arjuna (52 verses), battlefield (20 verses)