Verse 23
yotsyamānān avekṣe ’haṁ
ya ete ’tra samāgatāḥ
dhārtarāṣṭrasya durbuddheḥ
yuddhe priyacikīrṣavaḥ
Word-for-Word Meaning
- yotsyamānān — those who are about to fight
- avekṣe — I wish to observe, examine
- aham — I
- ye — who
- ete — these
- atra — here
- samāgatāḥ — assembled, gathered together
- dhārtarāṣṭrasya — of the son(s) of Dhritarashtra (Duryodhana and his brothers)
- durbuddheḥ — of the evil-minded, ill-intentioned
- yuddhe — in the battle
- priyacikīrṣavaḥ — desiring to please, favorably inclined
“I wish to observe those who have assembled here to fight, desiring to please the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra in this battle.”
Expanded Interpretation
Context: Arjuna’s Eyes Begin to Open
With this verse, Arjuna continues speaking to Krishna. He has just asked Him to place the chariot between the two armies so that he might examine those assembled for war (Verses 21–22). Now, he states his intention clearly — he wants to see who has gathered on the battlefield to support Duryodhana, whom he calls “durbuddhi” — the ill-intentioned or wicked-minded.
This is more than a military inspection. This is a moral and emotional assessment.
Layers of Meaning
1. “I Want to See Who Has Come to Fight”
On the surface, this seems like a tactical move. A general wanting to assess the enemy forces. But deeper down, Arjuna isn’t just looking at fighters — he’s trying to understand their intentions.
- Why are they here?
- Are they loyal to Duryodhana?
- Are they fighting out of duty, or selfishness?
This introspection shows Arjuna’s internal shift from warrior to witness. He’s not just playing a role anymore — he’s thinking, feeling, questioning.
2. “For the Sake of the Ill-Minded Son of Dhritarashtra”
Here, Arjuna refers to Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas, as “durbuddhi” — the evil-minded, one whose intellect is corrupted by greed, pride, and envy.
This shows Arjuna’s disdain for the cause of the war. He does not see the battle as noble or necessary at this point. In his eyes, those fighting for Duryodhana are not upholding dharma, but supporting adharma (unrighteousness).
“These men,” Arjuna implies, “have gathered not for justice, but to flatter and please a misguided prince.”
This brings a subtle tone of judgment and disappointment. Arjuna is not just confused about war; he is disillusioned with the people involved.
3. The Psychological Shift
This verse shows Arjuna’s inward descent into conflict. What starts as tactical curiosity turns into moral anxiety:
- He begins othering the enemy — labeling them as followers of evil.
- But soon, this clarity will begin to unravel as he sees his teachers, uncles, cousins, and friends among the ranks.
- The real dilemma begins to form: How can I fight those I respect? Is the war justified if the hearts of the warriors are corrupted?
We are watching Arjuna’s identity as a Kshatriya (warrior) start to collapse under the weight of dharma.
Spiritual Symbolism
“I want to see…” – represents awareness.
Arjuna is not blindly obeying orders. He is attempting to be conscious and responsible about his actions. This desire to see is the first step toward inner awakening.
“Durbuddheḥ” — evil-minded – represents ego-driven consciousness.
Duryodhana symbolizes the lower self, corrupted by desire, anger, and attachment. Fighting for such a cause means the soul is disconnected from its true nature.
“Those who wish to please him” – reflects worldly allegiance over spiritual integrity.
These warriors may be respected men, but they are driven by loyalty to the throne, to political favor, not to truth. Arjuna’s disillusionment shows the conflict between outer duty and inner truth.
Philosophical Implications
1. Loyalty vs Dharma
This verse asks an age-old question:
Should we remain loyal to people if their cause is unrighteous?
Arjuna questions the ethics of those who support Duryodhana simply because of political obligation or material gain.
2. Seeing Before Acting
Arjuna wants clear sight before action. In today’s world, we often act before we reflect. We react instead of respond.
This verse teaches:
- Pause before judgment.
- Understand before execution.
- Look into who and what you’re standing for.
3. Questioning Authority
Calling Duryodhana “durbuddhi” is no small thing. Arjuna is breaking from blind allegiance. Even though Duryodhana is a prince and commander, Arjuna calls out his unrighteousness.
True dharma sometimes means standing against powerful but wrong forces — even if they are your kin.
Modern-Day Application
In Our Own Lives:
- Do we act because we deeply believe in the cause?
- Or because we want to please someone in power?
- Do we stop to “see” who and what we’re supporting?
This verse reminds us to question motivations — not just others’, but also our own.
Reflection Questions for Verse 23
1. Who in your life do you follow or serve without questioning their intentions?
Are they aligned with your inner truth or just your outer obligation?
2. When was the last time you paused before making a big decision to “see” who it truly affects?
Like Arjuna, have you taken time to understand the full scope of your actions?
3. Who or what is your “Duryodhana” — the force that seems powerful, yet is driven by ego and illusion?
Are you standing with that energy or challenging it?
4. How do you discern between loyalty and righteousness?
Have you ever had to stand against someone you once followed or admired because your inner voice told you they were wrong?
5. What would you see if your charioteer paused the ride and let you truly observe your current battlefield?
Are the people, goals, and intentions in your life supporting dharma (truth), or personal gain?
Conclusion: The Power of Conscious Seeing
Verse 23 captures a moment of spiritual tension. Arjuna stands on the edge of action but demands awareness before commitment. His decision to observe shows that the spiritual journey begins not with battle, but with vision — with the courage to see clearly, even when the truth is uncomfortable.
As we move further into the Gita, Arjuna’s crisis will deepen, and from it, Krishna’s wisdom will arise — not just to guide Arjuna, but all of us in our battles of mind, heart, and soul.