योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः। धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः।।1.23।।
"I desire to see those who have come here to fight on the side of the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra, wishing to please him."
Translation
Arjuna says, "I wish to see those who are assembled here, prepared for battle, fighting on the side of the wicked son of Dhritarashtra, with the intention of pleasing him in this war."
Word Meanings
yotsyamānān — those who will be fighting avekṣe — let me see aham — I ye — who ete — those atra — here samāgatāḥ — assembled dhārtarāṣṭrasya — for the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra durbuddheḥ — evil-minded yuddhe — in the fight priya — well cikīrṣavaḥ — wishing
Understanding the Verse
In this verse, Arjuna, standing on his chariot with Lord Krishna, expresses his desire to observe those who have joined the ranks of the Kaurava side. Arjuna is fully aware that the sons of Dhritarashtra (the Kauravas) have chosen the path of adharma (unrighteousness), refusing to share the kingdom of Hastinapur and going against the rightful claim of the Pandavas. Arjuna has no doubt about the legitimacy of the Pandavas’ cause, and his determination to engage in the war is not just about reclaiming the kingdom, but also about punishing those who have sided with Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, whose intentions are driven by evil and injustice. Arjuna’s request for his chariot to be placed in the middle of the battlefield is symbolic of his desire to see those who are ready to fight for a cause that is rooted in unrighteousness. He expresses that the warriors on the Kaurava side are eager to please Duryodhana—an act of supporting evil in his mind. This reflects Arjuna’s disapproval of the Kaurava army, whose warriors, despite being great in valor, have chosen to side with injustice. Arjuna's moral clarity is evident here, as he sees the battle not just as a physical confrontation but as a fight for righteousness (dharma). Arjuna, although ready for battle, is clearly distressed by the thought of fighting people he once considered family and friends. His internal conflict is beginning to unfold, and it becomes evident that this war is not just about victory or defeat but about the moral and ethical choices made by each individual in the conflict.
