Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 25

English Translation

1.25 Sanjay said O scion of the line of Bharata (Dhrtararastra), Hrsikesa, being told so by Gudakesa (Arjuna), placed the excellent chariot between the two armies, in front of Bhisma and Drona as also all the rulers of the earth, and said, 'O Partha (Arjuna), see these assempled people of the Kuru dynasty.'

Detailed Commentary

'Guḍākeśena' – The word 'Guḍākeśa' has two meanings: (1) 'Guḍā' means curled and 'keśa' means hair. One whose head of hair is curly is called 'Guḍākeśa'. (2) 'Guḍākā' means sleep and 'īśa' means master. One who is the master of sleep, meaning one who has control over sleep, is 'Guḍākeśa'. Arjuna's hair was curly, and he had mastery over sleep; hence, he was called 'Guḍākeśa'. 'Evamuktaḥ' – Bhagavān listens to and even obeys the command of one who is not a slave to sleep and lethargy, who is not entangled in sense pleasures, but is solely devoted to Bhagavān. At the behest of His friend Arjuna, Lord Kṛṣṇa positioned Arjuna's chariot between the two armies. 'Hṛṣīkeśaḥ' – The senses are called 'hṛṣīka', and one who is their master is called Hṛṣīkeśa. The purpose of using 'Hṛṣīkeśa' here is to indicate that Bhagavān is the inspirer of the mind, intellect, senses, and so forth, and the commander of all. He became one who obeys Arjuna's command. This is His immense grace upon Arjuna! 'Senayor ubhayor madhye sthāpayitvā rathottamam' – Bhagavān placed Arjuna's excellent chariot in the empty space between the two armies. 'Bhīṣmadroṇapramukhataḥ sarveṣāṁ ca mahīkṣitām' – Bhagavān positioned the chariot in such a way that Arjuna could see Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and the principal kings of the Kaurava army. 'Uvāca Pārtha paśyaitān samavetān Kurun iti' – 'Pārtha' means Arjuna. Bhagavān said, "Behold these assembled Kurus." The purpose was to awaken in Arjuna the feeling that "we are all one family." This was to stir Arjuna's familial attachment (moha) and make him inquisitive, thereby facilitating the teaching of the Gītā for future generations. Arjuna had used the words 'nirīkṣe' (I wish to see) and 'avekṣe' (I shall observe), so Lord Kṛṣṇa did not need to say 'paśya' (behold). However, by positioning the chariot, Bhagavān uttered "Kurūn paśya" to intentionally awaken Arjuna's attachment. There is a vast difference between familial affection (kauṭumbika sneha) and divine love (Bhagavat-prema). In familial affection, one does not worry about faults; only the sentiment of "these are mine" persists. Bhagavān's affection for His devotee is similar. Familial affection is like darkness, while divine love is light. Familial affection can lead a person to deviate from duty, but in divine love, intense absorption might cause momentary forgetfulness in performing duty, yet a devotee never deviates from duty. Context: In the previous verse, Bhagavān asked Arjuna to behold the Kurus. What happened next is described by Sanjaya in the subsequent verses.