Sanskrit Verse
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच –
धर्म-क्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः ।
मामकाः पाण्डवाश् चैव किम् अकुर्वत सञ्जय ॥ १ ॥
Transliteration
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca –
dharma-kṣetre kurukṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ
māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāś caiva kim akurvata sañjaya
English Translation
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said:
O Sañjaya, what did my sons and the sons of Pāṇḍu do,
having assembled at the sacred land of Kurukṣetra, desiring to fight?
Word for Word Translation
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca – Dhṛtarāṣṭra said, dharma-kṣetre – in the field of dharma (righteousness), kurukṣetre – at Kurukṣetra, samavetāḥ – assembled, yuyutsavaḥ – desiring to fight, māmakāḥ – my sons, pāṇḍavāḥ – the sons of Pāṇḍu, ca eva – and also, kim akurvata – what did they do?, sañjaya – O Sañjaya.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
The Bhagavad Gita does not begin with a grand speech or a dramatic scene. It begins with a quiet and emotional question from a worried father. King Dhritarashtra, who was blind, asks his minister Sanjaya a simple but meaningful question.
He says, “What did my sons and the sons of Pandu do after gathering at the battlefield of Kurukshetra, the land of dharma?”
At first, this might sound like a straightforward question about what happened. But there is a deeper meaning behind it. Dhritarashtra was not only blind in sight. He was also blind in understanding. His deep love for his sons, especially Duryodhana, often made it hard for him to see what was right and what was wrong. Even though he knew that the Kauravas and the Pandavas were about to fight a major war, he still asked what they were doing.
This question came from a place of fear. Dhritarashtra knew that the Pandavas were strong. He also knew that Lord Krishna was with them. He was deeply worried about what might happen to his sons. His words show his anxiety, his concern and his inner struggle.
Now let us understand the place where this war was taking place. Dhritarashtra called it Kurukshetra. But more importantly, he called it a “dharma-ksetra,” which means the land of dharma or righteousness. This word choice is important. Kurukshetra is not just a piece of land. It is a sacred place, known for spiritual rituals, sacrifices and holy gatherings.
By using the word “dharma-ksetra,” Dhritarashtra was thinking about more than just war. He was hoping that the spiritual energy of this holy place might influence the hearts of the warriors. He wondered if his sons might stop and reflect on their actions. Maybe the power of that sacred land could lead them to choose peace instead of violence.
But deep inside, the king already knew the truth. He feared that the war could not be avoided. His question shows his helplessness and the emotional conflict he was facing.
There is also something interesting in the way he speaks. Dhritarashtra refers to the Kauravas as “mamakah,” which means “my sons.” But he calls the Pandavas only “the sons of Pandu.” He does not use words like “our sons” or “both sides.” This shows his bias. Even though the Pandavas are also part of his family, he does not see them that way. His heart is only with his own children, even if they are on the wrong path.
This small detail reveals a very big truth. One of the main teachings of the Bhagavad Gita is that personal attachments can cloud our thinking. When we are too attached to people or things, we may fail to see what is right.
This first verse of the Bhagavad Gita introduces powerful themes such as dharma, attachment, fear, and inner conflict. It is not just a question about a battle. It is the beginning of a journey into deep wisdom about life, duty, and the choices we all must make.
Conclusion
The first verse of the Bhagavad Gita is not just the start of a story, it opens a deep conversation about truth, duty and emotions. King Dhritarashtra’s question sets the stage for powerful spiritual wisdom. It reminds us to reflect on our own attachments and choices.
The Gita begins with a question that still matters today. If you were standing on your own Kurukshetra, what would you ask? How would you act when emotions and righteousness collide? Comment down.
Read next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 2
