Verse:
Dhritarashtra Uvacha —
Dharma-kshetre kuru-kshetre samavetaa yuyutsavah
Maamakaah pandavaashchaiva kimakurvata sanjaya ||1||
Word Meaning:
- Dhritarashtra Uvacha — King Dhritarashtra said
- Dharma-kshetre — in the land of dharma (righteousness)
- Kuru-kshetre — in the land of the Kurus (Kurukshetra)
- Samavetaa — assembled
- Yuyutsavah — desiring to fight
- Maamakaah — my sons
- Pandavaah — the sons of Pandu
- Cha eva — and also
- Kim akurvata — what did they do?
- Sanjaya — O Sanjaya
Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya! After assembling on the sacred land of Kurukshetra, desiring to fight, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do?
Expanded Meaning:
This is the very first verse of the Bhagavad Gita, and it serves as the gateway to the entire spiritual and philosophical discourse. It initiates the dialogue between King Dhritarashtra and his minister Sanjaya, who has been granted divine vision to narrate the events of the battlefield.
Contextual Analysis:
1. “Dharma-Kshetre Kuru-Kshetre” — The Significance of Place
The battlefield is not just any battleground — it is Kurukshetra, known as “Dharma-Kshetra,” a sacred land where many sacrifices, penances, and righteous deeds have taken place. This region is symbolic of virtue and truth.
By calling it “Dharma-Kshetra,” the verse implies that the battle here is not merely physical — it is a moral and spiritual test. Dhritarashtra is internally disturbed because he knows that his sons (the Kauravas) have often walked the path of adharma (unrighteousness) — by denying the Pandavas their rightful kingdom, humiliating Draupadi, and committing several unjust acts.
So, he worries whether this land of righteousness will somehow influence or disadvantage his sons, who are on the wrong side of morality.
2. “Samavetaa Yuyutsavah” — The Will to Fight
The word ‘yuyutsavah’ means “those who are eager to fight.” Dhritarashtra acknowledges that both parties have gathered with the intent to wage war. The failed peace mission by Lord Krishna has made it clear that war is inevitable.
There is no confusion or ambiguity. Both sides are ready, mentally and physically, for battle. This reflects the culmination of long-standing tensions between the Kauravas and Pandavas.
3. “Maamakaah Pandavaashchaiva” — A Glimpse of Partiality
The word ‘maamakaah’ means “my sons,” and ‘pandavaah’ refers to the sons of Pandu (his brother). Dhritarashtra does not refer to both groups equally, although the Pandavas are also part of the same family — his nephews, raised in his own court.
This deliberate differentiation reveals his bias. He identifies only his sons as “mine,” and distances himself from the Pandavas. This subconscious favoritism — his inability to treat both parties justly — is the root cause of the conflict.
His attachment (moha) and lack of fairness have prevented him from being a just king and father figure.
4. “Kim Akurvata” — A Question Laden with Anxiety
He asks, “What did they do?” despite knowing that both parties have gathered for battle.
This may seem like a simple query, but it holds deep psychological and philosophical weight. He fears that the sacredness of the land might have caused a change of heart, especially in his sons — perhaps they would hesitate or back down. He may be concerned whether their morale is strong, or if they’ve lost their nerve in front of the righteous Pandavas.
More profoundly, it shows his internal conflict and insecurity, because he knows deep down that his sons are on the wrong side of dharma.
Philosophical Interpretation:
This verse is not just the prologue to a war — it symbolically represents the battlefield of life. In a broader sense, this verse reflects:
Human Attachments and Delusions:
Dhritarashtra’s attachment to his sons clouds his judgment. This mirrors how humans are often blinded by emotions and fail to see the broader truth or act righteously.
Conflict Between Dharma and Adharma:
The battlefield is a metaphor for the internal struggle between right and wrong, duty and desire, selfishness and selflessness. Each of us faces this in our lives.
Ignorance vs. Wisdom:
Dhritarashtra’s physical blindness also represents spiritual blindness — a lack of insight and awareness. He does not see the truth because of his ego and attachments.
The Role of Divine Insight:
Sanjaya, who is granted divine vision, represents inner wisdom — a consciousness that can perceive beyond the physical. He becomes the voice of truth, clarity, and discernment.
Spiritual Symbolism:
- Kurukshetra = The world/life we live in
- Dharma-Kshetra = Our inner moral compass
- Pandavas = Higher virtues, righteousness, spiritual strength
- Kauravas = Lower impulses, ego, attachments, ignorance
- Dhritarashtra = The blind mind, driven by attachment
- Sanjaya = The awakened consciousness
- War = The eternal inner conflict between good and evil
Conclusion:
This very first verse of the Gita sets the stage for a profound spiritual dialogue. It shows how a single question can reveal a great deal about human nature — including bias, fear, moral uncertainty, and attachment.
Dhritarashtra’s question is not just directed at Sanjaya — it is posed to every reader, every soul standing at the crossroads of duty and desire.
“When you stand at the battlefield of life, in the land of dharma,
what do you do?”
This is the core question that Bhagavad Gita invites us to reflect upon.