After the thunderous exchange of the conch shells, the moment of action has arrived. The twentieth verse of the Bhagavad Gita, known as the Atha Vyavasthitan Drishtva verse, zooms in on the central hero of the story, Arjuna. The Atha Vyavasthitan Drishtva verse captures the final moment of Arjuna’s warrior resolve before his profound internal crisis begins.
Sanskrit Verse
अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान् कपिध्वजः ।
प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः ।
हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते ॥ २० ॥Transliteration
atha vyavasthitāndṛṣṭvā dhārtarāṣṭrān kapidhvajaḥ |
pravṛtte śastrasaṁpāte dhanurudyamya pāṇḍavaḥ |
hṛṣīkeśaṁ tadā vākyamidamāha mahīpate || 20 ||Word for Word Translation
atha – thereupon; vyavasthitān – situated; dṛṣṭvā – looking upon; dhārtarāṣṭrān – the sons of Dhritarashtra; kapi-dhvajaḥ – he whose flag was marked with Hanuman; pravṛtte – while about to engage; śastra-saṁpāte – in releasing his arrows; dhanuḥ – bow; udyamya – taking up; pāṇḍavaḥ – the son of Pandu (Arjuna); hṛṣīkeśam – unto Lord Krishna; tadā – at that time; vākyam – words; idam – these; āha – said; mahīpate – O King.
English Translation
O King, at that time, after looking over the sons of Dhritarashtra drawn in military array, Arjuna, the son of Pandu, whose flag was marked with Hanuman, took up his bow and spoke these words to Lord Krishna.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
The Atha Vyavasthitan Drishtva verse is packed with significant details, setting the stage for Arjuna’s request. Sanjaya, narrating to King Dhritarashtra, makes sure to include several key titles:
- Kapidhvajaḥ (Arjuna): Arjuna’s chariot flag is adorned with the image of Lord Hanuman. This is a powerful omen, as Hanuman’s presence ensures victory and protection.
- Pandavaḥ (Arjuna): He is reminded of his noble lineage as the son of Pandu, the rightful king, reinforcing the legitimacy of his cause.
- Hrishikesham (Krishna): Krishna is again referred to as the “Master of the Senses,” indicating that He is fully aware of the inner turmoil that is about to unfold in Arjuna’s mind.
The verse states that the armies are arrayed (`vyavasthitān`) and the throwing of weapons is about to begin (`pravṛtte śastrasaṁpāte`). In this final moment, Arjuna lifts his legendary bow, the Gandiva. This is the action of a warrior ready to fight. The Atha Vyavasthitan Drishtva verse shows us an Arjuna who is, at this point, fully prepared to engage in battle. His subsequent words to Krishna are not born of cowardice, but from the desire of a great warrior to know his enemy.
Conclusion
The Atha Vyavasthitan Drishtva verse teaches us about the importance of the pause before the storm. Even the greatest of heroes, fully prepared for action, takes a moment to survey the situation and understand the full implications of the conflict before him. Arjuna’s act of raising his bow is a sign of his commitment to his duty as a warrior.
This verse serves as a crucial prelude to his inner conflict. It shows that his coming confusion is not a sign of weakness, but a profound crisis of conscience that can only happen to someone who is deeply thoughtful and aware. The Atha Vyavasthitan Drishtva verse captures the final, fleeting moment of simple, warrior-like certainty before the complex questions of life, death, and duty overwhelm the hero.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 – Verse 21 – Senayor Ubhayor Madhye
