Standing before Bhishma, Drona, and all the rulers, Krishna said, "O Partha, behold these assembled Kurus."
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 1.25
Hindi · हिन्दी
संजय बोले हे भरतवंशी राजन् निद्राविजयी अर्जुन के द्वारा इस तरह कहने पर अन्तर्यामी भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण ने दोनों सेनाओं के मध्यभाग में पितामह भीष्म और आचार्य द्रोण के सामने तथा सम्पूर्ण राजाओं के सामने श्रेष्ठ रथको खड़ा करके इस तरह कहा कि हे पार्थ इन इकट्ठे हुए कुरुवंशियोंको देख ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
भीष्म-द्रोण-प्रमुखतःin front of Bhishma and Dronaसर्वेषाम्of allचandमहीक्षिताम्of kingsउवाचsaidपार्थO Parthaपश्यbeholdएतान्theseसमवेतान्assembledकुरून्Kurusइतिthus
Read literallyin front of Bhishma and Drona · of all · and · of kings · said · O Partha · behold · these · assembled · Kurus · thus
Understanding the verse
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Krishna stops before Bhishma and Drona and says one thing: Partha, look at the assembled Kurus.
01
In plain words
What this verse means
Krishna positions Arjuna’s chariot between the armies and asks him to look at the gathered Kurus, including Bhishma, Drona, and the kings.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna drives Arjuna’s chariot into the space between both armies on Kurukshetra. He stops before Bhishma, Drona, and the gathered kings, and tells Arjuna to look closely. This moment forces the warrior to see the human cost before the battle begins.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
In a hospital corridor, a doctor asks you to come and see your father yourself before deciding anything about his care. Krishna does the same: he stops the chariot and tells Arjuna to look.
The takeaway
“Before the conflict becomes action, Arjuna is made to face the people he must fight.”
Krishna positions Arjuna’s chariot between the armies and asks him to look at the gathered Kurus, including Bhishma, Drona, and the kings.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 1.25?
Krishna 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 1.25?
Verse 25 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 1.25 matter today?
In a hospital corridor, a doctor asks you to come and see your father yourself before deciding anything about his care. Krishna does the same: he stops the chariot and tells Arjuna to look.
Krishna stops before Bhishma and Drona and says one thing: Partha, look at the assembled Kurus.
What this verse means
Krishna positions Arjuna’s chariot between the armies and asks him to look at the gathered Kurus, including Bhishma, Drona, and the kings.
Context & commentary
Krishna drives Arjuna’s chariot into the space between both armies on Kurukshetra. He stops before Bhishma, Drona, and the gathered kings, and tells Arjuna to look closely. This moment forces the warrior to see the human cost before the battle begins.
What it looks like today
In a hospital corridor, a doctor asks you to come and see your father yourself before deciding anything about his care. Krishna does the same: he stops the chariot and tells Arjuna to look.
“Before the conflict becomes action, Arjuna is made to face the people he must fight.”
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses)