Verse: 25
bhīṣma-droṇa-pramukhataḥ sarveṣāṁ ca mahīkṣitām
uvāca pārtha paśyaitān samavetān kurūn iti
Word-for-Word Meaning:
- bhīṣma-droṇa-pramukhataḥ — in front of Bhishma and Drona, who are the foremost
- sarveṣām ca mahīkṣitām — and of all the kings (rulers of the earth)
- uvāca — said
- pārtha — O son of Pritha (Arjuna)
- paśya — behold, look at
- etān — these
- samavetān — assembled
- kurūn — the Kauravas
- iti — thus
“In front of Bhishma and Drona, and all the rulers of the earth, the Lord said, ‘O Partha, behold these assembled Kurus.’”
Expanded Commentary and Interpretation
This verse captures a critical turning point in the scene unfolding on the battlefield. Lord Krishna, having placed Arjuna’s chariot between the two armies as requested, now speaks to him. But rather than offering immediate counsel or encouragement, He says something deeply subtle and powerful:
“O Partha, behold these assembled Kurus.”
Let’s unpack this line from spiritual, psychological, and symbolic perspectives.
Characters and Context
1. Krishna (Hrishikesha) as the Speaker
Though referred to as Hrishikesha in the previous verses, here Krishna speaks plainly, in His role as charioteer, friend, and guide. His words are few, but they carry weight and depth. He does not begin with philosophy but instead invites Arjuna to look — to observe deeply.
2. Arjuna (Partha) – The Inner Seeker
Partha refers to Arjuna, son of Pritha (Kunti). This name emphasizes his human, emotional, maternal side — making him relatable, vulnerable, and compassionate. It is this tender, human aspect of Arjuna that will now be challenged.
3. Bhishma and Drona – The Elders
Krishna deliberately positions Arjuna in front of Bhishma and Drona, not by accident, but with purpose.
- Bhishma is Arjuna’s grand-uncle — revered, wise, and yet now on the opposing side.
- Drona is Arjuna’s guru — the very man who taught him the art of warfare.
To see them arrayed against him in war is not merely a tactical sight — it is a moral crisis, a spiritual fracture.
Philosophical and Symbolic Analysis
1. “Behold” — The Call to True Seeing
The word “paśya” (look, behold) is no ordinary instruction. It’s an invitation to deep seeing — to perceive not only with the eyes but with the heart, mind, and soul.
Krishna is not saying, “Prepare to fight,” or “Be courageous.” He says:
“Look.”
Why? Because true transformation always begins with awareness.
Before any action, there must be seeing — clear, conscious perception. He is asking Arjuna to:
- See who he is about to fight.
- See the relationships and emotions involved.
- See what this war truly means.
2. Standing Before Attachment and Dharma
Bhishma and Drona are more than elders; they represent deep attachments.
- Arjuna respects and loves them.
- Yet they stand as his opponents in the field of Dharma.
This is the true battlefield — not one of arrows and swords, but of inner conflict:
“How do I reconcile love with duty? Loyalty with righteousness?”
3. Kurus – One’s Own People
Krishna refers to the Kauravas as “Kurūn” — not “enemies,” but kinsmen, the broader clan to which Arjuna also belongs.
This usage again increases the emotional weight. Arjuna is not facing strangers. He is being asked to battle his own bloodline — symbolically, his own inner shadows, old loyalties, and false identifications.
Spiritual Insights
1. Inner Conflict Precedes Outer Action
This verse is not about war; it’s about what must occur before action.
Krishna does not rush to advise or push Arjuna to fight. He creates space for inner reckoning.
He is teaching us:
“Before any battle — personal, ethical, emotional — you must pause and look. See the full truth. Feel it. Own it.”
2. Dharma is Not Without Pain
Sometimes, the path of righteousness (Dharma) brings us face-to-face with our greatest emotional vulnerabilities.
To do what is right, we often have to act in ways that challenge:
- Our comfort
- Our familial bonds
- Our former teachers
- Our personal attachments
Reflection Questions for Verse 25
1. Who are your “Bhishma and Drona”?
Are there people or values in your life that you deeply respect but may now need to challenge or outgrow?
2. Are you willing to “behold” your situation honestly?
Can you see clearly the full scope of your conflicts — without denial, avoidance, or distraction?
3. Have you experienced the pain of duty conflicting with emotion?
When have you had to make a difficult choice between your heart and your higher responsibility?
4. What do the Kurus in your life symbolize?
Who or what in your life do you view as “the other” — yet realize are part of your own inner world, your own conditioning?
5. Can you pause before reacting — and just see?
Before jumping into action, can you take a moment like Arjuna to observe with awareness, compassion, and discernment?
Conclusion: The Threshold of Self-Realization
This verse sets the stage for one of the most dramatic inner revelations in scripture. Krishna does not begin with theology or commands. He simply guides Arjuna to the center of his dilemma and tells him to look.
Seeing precedes wisdom.
Seeing precedes transformation.
This is a lesson for all of us — that true insight comes not from escaping our conflicts but from turning toward them, standing in their midst, and allowing the full reality to be seen.
Krishna knows that once Arjuna truly sees — not just the army, but the emotional and ethical complexity — his heart will break. And in that breaking, true spiritual inquiry will begin.
In the next verses, we will witness Arjuna’s inner collapse — not a sign of weakness, but the beginning of a deeper awakening.