Arjuna said: Seeing my own people gathered here, eager for battle, I am overcome with pity and grief, O Krishna.
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 1.28
Hindi · हिन्दी
अर्जुन बोले हे कृष्ण युद्ध की इच्छावाले इस कुटुम्बसमुदाय को अपने सामने उपस्थित देखकर मेरे अङ्ग शिथिल हो रहे हैं और मुख सूख रहा है तथा मेरे शरीर में कँपकँपी आ रही है एवं रोंगटे खड़े हो रहे हैं । हाथ से गाण्डीव धनुष गिर रहा है और त्वचा भी जल रही है । मेरा मन भ्रमितसा हो रहा है और मैं खड़े रहने में भी असमर्थ हो रहा हूँ ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
अर्जुन उवाचArjuna saidकृपयाby compassion or pityपरयाsupremeआविष्टःovercomeविषीदन्grievingइदम्thisअब्रवीत्spokeदृष्ट्वाhaving seenइमम्thisस्वजनम्my own peopleकृष्णO Krishnaयुयुत्सुम्desiring to fightसमुपस्थितम्assembled before me
Read literallyArjuna said · by compassion or pity · supreme · overcome · grieving · this · spoke · having seen · this · my own people · O Krishna · desiring to fight · assembled before me
Understanding the verse
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Arjuna names the feeling to Krishna directly: pity and grief at seeing his own people ready to fight.
Built onkaruna
01
In plain words
What this verse means
Arjuna tells Krishna that seeing his own relatives gathered for battle has overwhelmed him with grief and pity.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Arjuna has already recognized fathers, teachers, cousins, and friends on both sides. Now, seeing his own people ready to fight, he collapses into grief. This verse marks the moment his inner conflict becomes impossible to hide.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
During a family meeting where brothers are ready to split the farm, you may feel nothing but pity for everyone in the room. Arjuna tells Krishna that seeing his own people ready to fight has overwhelmed him.
The takeaway
“Love can make violence feel unbearable, even when duty is waiting.”
Arjuna tells Krishna that seeing his own relatives gathered for battle has overwhelmed him with grief and pity.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 1.28?
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 1.28?
Verse 28 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 1.28 matter today?
During a family meeting where brothers are ready to split the farm, you may feel nothing but pity for everyone in the room. Arjuna tells Krishna that seeing his own people ready to fight has overwhelmed him.
Arjuna names the feeling to Krishna directly: pity and grief at seeing his own people ready to fight.
What this verse means
Arjuna tells Krishna that seeing his own relatives gathered for battle has overwhelmed him with grief and pity.
Context & commentary
Arjuna has already recognized fathers, teachers, cousins, and friends on both sides. Now, seeing his own people ready to fight, he collapses into grief. This verse marks the moment his inner conflict becomes impossible to hide.
What it looks like today
During a family meeting where brothers are ready to split the farm, you may feel nothing but pity for everyone in the room. Arjuna tells Krishna that seeing his own people ready to fight has overwhelmed him.
“Love can make violence feel unbearable, even when duty is waiting.”
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses), arjuna vishada (14 verses)