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Chapter 1 · Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra · 46 verses

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Questions & crisisChapter 1 · Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra
1.251.27

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 1.26

Arjuna recognizes loved ones and trembles

तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान्।

आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा।

श्वश‍ुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि ॥ २६ ॥

tatrāpaśyat sthitān pārthaḥ

pitṝn atha pitāmahān

ācāryān mātulān bhrātṝn

putrān pautrān sakhīṁs tathā

śvaśurān suhṛdaś caiva

senayor ubhayor api

Translation

There Arjuna could see, within the midst of the armies of both parties, his fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends, and also his fathers-in-law and well-wishers.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Arjuna Sees His Relatives

  1. 1Arjuna saw relatives, teachers, friends, and well-wishers among the armies on both sides.
  2. 2His grandfathers included Bhīṣma and Somadatta.
  3. 3His teachers included Droṇācārya and Kṛpācārya.
  4. 4He saw maternal uncles like Śalya and Śakuni, and brothers like Duryodhana.
  5. 5He also saw friends like Aśvatthāmā and well-wishers like Kṛtavarmā. Many friends were among the armies.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 1, Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra: arjuna recognizes loved ones and trembles.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Honest questions open the way to wisdom.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: saṁśaya, viṣāda.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 1.26 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to questions & crisis?

Practice

Write down the real question behind your current dilemma.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 1 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 1.27Arjuna recognizes loved ones and tremblesBG 1.28Compassion entangled with attachmentBG 2.7The moment Arjuna becomes a discipleBG 6.34The restless mind

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.