Verse 27
tān samīkṣya sa kaunteyaḥ sarvān bandhūn avasthitān
kṛipayā parayā āviṣṭo viṣīdan idam abravīt
Word-for-Word Meaning:
- tān — them
- samīkṣya — having seen or carefully observed
- saḥ — he
- kaunteyaḥ — the son of Kunti (Arjuna)
- sarvān bandhūn — all his relatives
- avasthitān — present (in battle formation)
- kṛipayā — by compassion
- parayā — great, intense
- āviṣṭaḥ — being overwhelmed or overcome
- viṣīdan — grieving, lamenting
- idam abravīt — he spoke these words
“Seeing all his relatives standing there, the son of Kunti, Arjuna, was overwhelmed with deep compassion and sorrowfully spoke the following words.”
Expanded Commentary and Interpretation
This verse marks a turning point in the narrative of the Bhagavad Gita. Arjuna, the heroic warrior, begins to crumble emotionally as the reality of the war hits his heart. He is not facing strangers; he is facing his own family, and that realization pierces deeper than any weapon could.
Contextual Flow:
In the preceding verses (26), Arjuna has scanned the battlefield and identified the faces of his loved ones — grandfathers, teachers, brothers, sons, and friends — on both sides. Now, in this verse (27), the emotional weight of that vision breaks his inner composure.
Psychological Insights
1. Emotional Breakdown of a Warrior
Despite all his training, strength, and strategy, Arjuna is not immune to emotion. This moment of collapse reflects a powerful human truth:
No amount of outer strength can compensate for inner confusion or emotional overwhelm.
He sees his relatives not as opponents, but as beloved souls—and this perception changes everything.
2. The Rise of Compassion (Kṛipayā Parayā)
The word “kṛipayā parayā āviṣṭaḥ” is crucial. It means “overwhelmed by great compassion.” This is not cowardice or weakness — it’s the surfacing of deep human empathy.
He no longer sees Dharma as a rule, but as a web of relationships, and it is this realization that causes his sorrow.
3. Grief (Viṣīdan) and Moral Crisis
Arjuna is described as “viṣīdan” — grieving, lamenting, almost paralyzed. This is the emotional seed of his moral dilemma: is it righteous to kill those you love, even for a just cause?
This moment highlights the cost of duty when it conflicts with emotion and attachment.
Symbolism and Deeper Meaning
1. The Battlefield of the Heart
This verse is not just about a battlefield between armies, but a battlefield inside Arjuna:
- Between Dharma (duty) and Kṛipa (compassion)
- Between role and relationship
- Between action and attachment
The Gita teaches that true war is internal before it is external.
2. Spiritual Growth Through Crisis
Paradoxically, it is this emotional collapse that makes Arjuna ready for spiritual transformation.
This verse is the seed moment that will eventually blossom into the full discourse of the Gita.
Just like in life — we often awaken to truth not through comfort but through crisis.
3. Compassion Without Clarity Is Confusion
Arjuna’s compassion is real, noble, and sincere. But it is clouded by attachment, which is why Krishna later helps him discern between sentimental emotion and wise compassion.
Philosophical and Ethical Reflection
Can Compassion Hinder Dharma?
Is it possible to feel so deeply for others that it prevents you from doing what is right?
The Gita doesn’t reject compassion — it teaches how to channel it wisely. That lesson begins here, when Arjuna is lost in the very emotion that most of us mistake for weakness, but which is, in fact, the raw material for wisdom.
When Dharma Is Not Clear
Often in life, doing the right thing is not black or white. This verse is a powerful portrayal of moral ambiguity. Arjuna’s conflict is timeless:
- Do I fight for justice at the cost of family?
- Do I let go of duty to avoid emotional pain?
These are not easy questions — and that’s the point. The Gita does not give simple answers, but clarifies the complexity of life.
Arjuna as the Seeker in All of Us
At this moment, Arjuna is not just a warrior — he is a seeker, bewildered by love, duty, death, and the complexity of human bonds.
He stands where many of us have stood — caught between heart and head, unsure of how to act.
This verse validates that moment of breakdown — and makes it sacred.
Reflection Questions
Here are questions to help internalize this verse:
1. Have you ever faced a situation where doing the right thing felt emotionally unbearable?
- What did you do?
- What was the cost of your choice?
2. What attachments most cloud your clarity?
- Is it family, relationships, fear of judgment, or guilt?
3. Do you allow yourself to break down?
- Or do you always try to appear strong?
- What do your moments of collapse teach you?
4. When have you felt overwhelmed by compassion?
- Did it guide you or hinder you?
Conclusion: The Sacred Collapse
In Verse 27, Arjuna’s sorrow is not a sign of weakness — it is the dawn of awakening. This breakdown opens the door for Krishna’s teaching.
From this point on, the Bhagavad Gita transitions from an epic to a spiritual dialogue. All of that begins because a mighty warrior saw his loved ones and broke down in grief.
We must remember: breakdown is often the first step toward breakthrough. Just as a seed must break to sprout, Arjuna’s heart must break open to receive the light of higher wisdom.
This verse teaches us that:
Compassion is sacred, but it must be guided by clarity.
Emotional collapse is not failure, but a moment to surrender and seek guidance.
Life’s greatest teachings come, not when we are victorious, but when we are vulnerable.