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. Hover 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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It teaches you to pause before irreversible action and face the human reality of what you are about to do.
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
On Kurukshetra, 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
Why this verse still matters
You are one step from sending the message, signing the form, or walking away. Before the point of no return, Arjuna’s pause asks for one honest look.
The takeaway
“Before a hard act, he chooses to look clearly instead of rushing forward.”
It teaches you to pause before irreversible action and face the human reality of what you are about to do.
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
On Kurukshetra, 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.
Why this verse still matters
You are one step from sending the message, signing the form, or walking away. Before the point of no return, Arjuna’s pause asks for one honest look.
“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)