Verse 20
atha vyavasthitān dṛṣṭvā
dhārtarāṣṭrān kapidhvajaḥ
pravṛtte śastra-sampāte
dhanur udyamya pāṇḍavaḥ
hṛṣīkeśaṁ tadā vākyam
idam āha mahīpate
Word-for-Word Meaning:
- atha — then, at that moment
- vyavasthitān — arranged, positioned, assembled
- dṛṣṭvā — having seen
- dhārtarāṣṭrān — the sons of Dhritarashtra (the Kauravas)
- kapidhvajaḥ — the one with the monkey banner (Arjuna)
- pravṛtte — engaged, beginning (in battle)
- śastra-sampāte — the clash of weapons, the sound of arms
- dhanur — the bow
- udyamya — raising up, lifting
- pāṇḍavaḥ — the son of Pandu (Arjuna)
- hṛṣīkeśam — Hrishikesha (Krishna, the Lord of the Senses)
- tadā — then, at that time
- vākyam — speech, words
- idam — this
- āha — spoke, said
- mahīpate — O King (Dhritarashtra)
“Then, seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra arranged in battle formation and the clash of weapons beginning, Arjuna, the bearer of the monkey banner, lifted his bow and spoke these words to Hrishikesha, O King.”
Expanded Interpretation:
The Moment Before Arjuna’s Speech:
This verse marks a critical turning point in the Bhagavad Gita narrative — Arjuna takes his stance on the battlefield, witnessing the opposing army ready for war, and prepares to address Krishna (Hrishikesha) with a momentous speech.
Who Are the Main Figures?
- Arjuna (Kapidhvaja):
- Known as the “bearer of the monkey banner” referring to his flag displaying Hanuman.
- The great Pandava archer and warrior.
- Symbolizes the ideal seeker — skilled, courageous, yet full of humanity and doubt.
- Dhritarashtra’s Sons (Kauravas):
- The opposing army, arranged in battle formation, ready to fight.
- Represent the forces of attachment, ego, and adharma.
- Hrishikesha (Krishna):
- The Lord of the Senses and Arjuna’s charioteer.
- The Divine guide and spiritual master to whom Arjuna speaks.
Symbolism of the Verse:
| Element | Symbolizes |
|---|---|
| Arjuna’s Bow Raised | Readiness to act, preparedness for battle |
| Seeing the Enemy | Awareness of conflict and challenge |
| Speaking to Krishna | Turning to divine wisdom before action |
Spiritual and Psychological Insight:
- This verse captures the crucial pause before action, where Arjuna mentally and emotionally absorbs the reality of war.
- It shows how even the greatest warriors must seek clarity and guidance when faced with profound moral dilemmas.
- The “lifting of the bow” is not only physical but symbolizes the readiness to engage with life’s battles, yet also the hesitation that leads to reflection.
Philosophical Perspective:
- Action without understanding can lead to destruction — here, Arjuna’s raising of the bow is immediately followed by his seeking counsel.
- It symbolizes the spiritual principle that true action arises from wisdom and awareness, not impulse.
- This moment is the doorway to the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita — the dialogue between doubt and divine wisdom.
Call of the Soul:
- When faced with conflict or difficult choices, do you first prepare yourself physically or mentally?
- Do you seek guidance from a higher source before taking action?
- Like Arjuna, can you recognize when it’s time to pause and reflect before proceeding?
Conclusion:
Verse 20 sets the stage for the profound spiritual dialogue of the Bhagavad Gita. It shows a warrior at the threshold of battle, looking at the reality of conflict and turning to the divine for guidance — a universal moment of hesitation, courage, and awakening.
Reflection Questions:
What battles are you preparing to face in your life?
How do you “raise your bow” — physically, mentally, emotionally?
Who or what is your Hrishikesha — the guide you turn to in moments of doubt?