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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
1.291.31

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 1.30

Arjuna recognizes loved ones and trembles

न च शक्न‍ोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः ।

निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव ॥ ३० ॥

na ca śaknomy avasthātuṁ

bhramatīva ca me manaḥ

nimittāni ca paśyāmi

viparītāni keśava

Translation

I am now unable to stand here any longer. I am forgetting myself, and my mind is reeling. I see only causes of misfortune, O Kṛṣṇa, killer of the Keśī demon.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Confusion and Real Self-Interest

  1. 1Arjuna tells Kṛṣṇa he cannot stand any longer, is forgetting himself, and sees only misfortune as his mind reels.
  2. 2The purport explains that impatience and weakness of mind caused Arjuna’s confusion.
  3. 3Too much attachment to material things brings fear and loss of mental balance.
  4. 4Arjuna expected only painful results from battle; even victory would bring him sorrow.
  5. 5Our real self-interest lies in Viṣṇu, or Kṛṣṇa. Forgetting this brings material suffering.

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 1.30 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 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 1.26Arjuna recognizes loved ones and tremblesBG 1.27Arjuna recognizes loved ones and tremblesBG 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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Ask about BG 1.30 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

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.