Arjuna said: O Achyuta, keep my chariot between the two armies until I can inspect these men standing here, eager for battle, and see with whom I must fight in this great struggle.
— Arjuna
❋
Bhagavad Gita · 1.22
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 किनकिनके साथ युद्ध करना योग्य है ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
यावत्untilएतान्theseनिरीक्षेI may inspectअहम्Iयोद्धुकामान्those desirous of fightingअवस्थितान्standingकैःwith whomमयाby meसहtogether withयोद्धव्यम्must be foughtअस्मिन्in thisरणसमुद्यमेwar undertaking
Read literallyuntil · these · I may inspect · I · those desirous of fighting · standing · with whom · by me · together with · must be fought · in this · war undertaking
Understanding the verse
✦
Arjuna repeats the request: hold the chariot still until he has looked at every man eager to fight.
01
In plain words
What this verse means
Arjuna asks Krishna to hold the chariot still so he can look at the warriors and understand whom he must face.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
The two armies are lined up on Kurukshetra and Arjuna is still asking Krishna to place the chariot between them. He holds back from striking; he wants one careful look at the people he may have to fight before the battle begins.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A new manager on her first day asks to meet each person on the team before changing anything. Arjuna wants the same: to see who stands across from him before the fighting starts.
The takeaway
“Before a hard fight, he wants to see clearly instead of rushing blindly.”
Arjuna asks Krishna to hold the chariot still so he can look at the warriors and understand whom he must face.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 1.22?
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 1.22?
Verse 22 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 1.22 matter today?
A new manager on her first day asks to meet each person on the team before changing anything. Arjuna wants the same: to see who stands across from him before the fighting starts.
Arjuna repeats the request: hold the chariot still until he has looked at every man eager to fight.
What this verse means
Arjuna asks Krishna to hold the chariot still so he can look at the warriors and understand whom he must face.
Context & commentary
The two armies are lined up on Kurukshetra and Arjuna is still asking Krishna to place the chariot between them. He holds back from striking; he wants one careful look at the people he may have to fight before the battle begins.
What it looks like today
A new manager on her first day asks to meet each person on the team before changing anything. Arjuna wants the same: to see who stands across from him before the fighting starts.
“Before a hard fight, he wants to see clearly instead of rushing blindly.”
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses), arjuna (52 verses), battlefield (20 verses)