Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 23

English Translation

These who have assembled here and want to accomplish in the war what is dear to the perverted son of Dhrtarastra, I find them to be intent on fighting.

Detailed Commentary

Verse 1.23. Explanation—Regarding the phrase 'dhārtarāṣṭra durbuddheryuddhe priyacikīrṣavaḥ' (those who wish to please the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra in battle): Here, Arjuna, by calling Duryodhana "duṣṭabuddhi" (evil-minded), intends to convey that he has, until now, hatched many conspiracies to destroy us. He has made numerous attempts to humiliate us. By rule and justice, we are entitled to half the kingdom, but he wishes to usurp even that and is unwilling to give it. This is his evil mind; and the kings who have assembled here wish to support him in battle! In truth, it is the duty of friends to act for the welfare of their friend in this world (loka) and the next (paraloka). But these kings, instead of rectifying Duryodhana's evil mind, wish to further it, and by assisting him in war, they desire his downfall. The implication is that they are not considering what truly benefits Duryodhana; how he will obtain the kingdom and how his spiritual future (paraloka) will be improved. If these kings had advised him to keep at least half the kingdom and give the other half to the Pāṇḍavas, then Duryodhana's half kingdom would have been preserved, and his spiritual future (paraloka) would also have improved. Regarding 'yotsyamānānavekṣe'haṃ ya ete'tra samāgatāḥ' (I shall observe those who are eager to fight, those who have assembled here): Let me just look at these people who are so eager for battle! They have taken the side of adharma (unrighteousness) and injustice; therefore, they will not be able to stand before us and will be destroyed. The intention behind saying 'yotsyamānān' (those who are eager to fight) is that their hearts are filled with a great longing for war, so let me see who they truly are? Connection: What the Lord (Bhagavān) did after Arjuna spoke thus is narrated by Sañjaya in the next two verses.