Chapter 1, Verse 22
यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान्। कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन् रणसमुद्यमे।।
yāvad etān nirīkṣe 'haṁ yoddhu-kāmān avasthitān kair mayā saha yoddhavyam asmin raṇa-samudyame
Meaning
So that I may observe those who stand here eager for battle, and with whom I must fight in this great warlike endeavour.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Explanation & Commentary
Arjuna's purpose in requesting the chariot's placement is clear: he wants to see and understand who he is facing before the battle begins. There is admirable intentionality here — a desire for full information, a refusal to fight blindly. His question 'with whom must I fight?' seems tactical, but it will shortly become an existential one.
The phrase 'raṇa-samudyame' — the great warlike endeavour — elevates the battle from a personal dispute to something that carries larger stakes. Arjuna implicitly recognises that what is about to happen is not merely a military engagement but a dharmic event of cosmic proportions.
For those of us facing difficult decisions, this verse models the wisdom of deliberate observation before action. Before engaging any significant conflict — professional, relational, creative — pause to clearly see who and what you are dealing with. Not to hesitate endlessly, but to act from knowledge rather than assumption.
💡 Key Takeaway
Gather full information and clearly see all parties involved before you commit to significant action.
Related Verses
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच | धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः | मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ॥१॥
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | dharma-kṣetre kuru-kṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ | māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāś caiva kim akurvata sañjaya ||1||
Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, after assembling in the place of pilgrimage at Kurukshetra, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do, being desirous to fight?
सञ्जय उवाच दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा। आचार्यमुपसङ्गम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत्।।
sañjaya uvāca dṛṣṭvā tu pāṇḍavānīkaṁ vyūḍhaṁ duryodhanas tadā ācāryam upasaṅgamya rājā vacanam abravīt
Sanjaya said: Having seen the army of the Pandavas arrayed in battle formation, King Duryodhana then approached his teacher Drona and spoke these words.
पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम्। व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता।।
paśyaitāṁ pāṇḍu-putrāṇām ācārya mahatīṁ camūm vyūḍhāṁ drupada-putreṇa tava śiṣyeṇa dhīmatā
O teacher, behold this mighty army of the sons of Pandu, so skilfully arrayed by the son of Drupada — your own talented student.