Dhritarashtra's Inquiry: Setting the Stage for the Gita

The Shloka

Sanskrit (Devanagari): धृतराष्ट्र उवाच | धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः | मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ||१||

Transliteration (IAST): dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ | māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāścaiva kimakurvata sañjaya ||1||

Translation: Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do when they had assembled on the holy field of Kurukshetra, desiring to fight?

Explanation

Context

This verse marks the very beginning of the Bhagavad Gita. It sets the scene for the epic dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna. The blind king Dhritarashtra, aware of the impending battle between his sons (the Kauravas) and his nephews (the Pandavas), anxiously questions his advisor Sanjaya about the events unfolding on the battlefield. This inquiry immediately plunges the reader into the heart of the conflict.

Word-by-Word Meaning

• Dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ uvāca: Dhritarashtra said.
• dharmakṣetre: In the field of Dharma (righteousness).
• kurukṣetre: In the field of Kurukshetra.
• samavetāḥ: Having assembled.
• yuyutsavaḥ: Desiring to fight.
• māmakāḥ: My sons (the Kauravas).
• pāṇḍavāḥ: The sons of Pandu (the Pandavas).
• ca eva: And also.
• kim akurvata: What did they do?
• sañjaya: O Sanjaya.

The term dharmakṣetre is particularly significant. Kurukshetra, historically a battlefield, is here described as a field of dharma, implying that the battle should be fought according to righteous principles. The use of māmakāḥ (my sons) by Dhritarashtra reveals his possessiveness and attachment, a key theme throughout the Gita.

Deeper Understanding

This verse raises several crucial questions. Dhritarashtra’s blindness is not merely physical; it represents a deeper spiritual blindness caused by his attachment to his sons. He is less concerned with dharma and righteousness than with the potential victory of his lineage. His question to Sanjaya is loaded with anxiety and a desire to hear favorable news.

Krishna is not directly present in this opening verse, but the entire Gita is framed by Dhritarashtra’s anxious question. The Gita will ultimately address the nature of dharma, the illusion of attachment, and the path to liberation. The battlefield of Kurukshetra becomes a metaphor for the inner battle each individual faces in the pursuit of self-realization.

Practical Application

This verse holds practical lessons for modern life:

1. Self-Awareness: Like Dhritarashtra, we must recognize our own biases and attachments. Are we truly seeking what is right, or are we blinded by personal desires? Taking a step back to observe ourselves and our motivations is key.

2. Dharma in Action: The concept of dharmakṣetre reminds us that every action has ethical implications. We should strive to make choices that align with our values and contribute to the greater good, even when faced with difficult situations.

3. Detachment: Dhritarashtra’s possessiveness is a warning against excessive attachment. We can learn to perform our duties without being consumed by the outcome, focusing on the process and offering the results to a higher power.

Reflection

• What are the “battlefields” in your own life where you struggle with conflicting desires and duties?
• How can you cultivate greater self-awareness and detachment in your daily actions?
• In what ways does your pursuit of personal goals align with or conflict with your sense of dharma?

Key Concepts

• Dharma: Righteousness, duty, cosmic order.
• Attachment: Clinging to desires, possessions, or relationships, leading to suffering.
• Self-Awareness: The ability to recognize one’s own thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
• Kurukshetra: The battlefield, symbolizing the inner struggle for self-mastery.

Navigation

Next: Chapter 1, Verse 2 →

Note: The next shloka will be available soon if not yet published.