सञ्जय उवाच एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम्।।1.24।।
Sanjay said: "O Dhritarashtra, having thus been addressed by Arjuna, the conqueror of sleep, Shree Krishna then drew the magnificent chariot between the two armies."
Translation
In this verse, Sanjaya narrates to King Dhritarashtra that after being addressed by Arjuna, Lord Krishna, the master of the senses, moved the magnificent chariot to the center of the battlefield, placing it between the two armies.
Word Meanings
sañjayaḥ uvāca — Sanjaya said evam — thus uktaḥ — addressed hṛṣīkeśaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa guḍākeśena — by Arjuna bhārata — O descendant of Bharata senayoḥ — of the armies ubhayoh — both madhye — in the midst sthāpayitvā — placing ratha-uttamam — the finest chariot
Understanding the Verse
Sanjaya, the narrator of the Bhagavad Gita, recounts the moment when Arjuna, the son of Kunti, asks Lord Krishna to place their chariot in the middle of the battlefield to observe those assembled for war. Addressing Lord Krishna as "Hṛṣīkeśa" (the one who controls the senses), Sanjaya notes that Arjuna’s request is followed by the Lord’s actions: He drives the chariot to the central point between the two armies—the Pandavas and Kauravas. The term guḍākeśa refers to Arjuna as the "conqueror of sleep," an epithet signifying Arjuna’s alertness and focus, both in battle and in life. It also highlights his unshakable determination and mental clarity, especially as he is about to face the difficult task of fighting his own kin. The choice to place the chariot at the center of the battlefield reflects Arjuna’s need to assess the situation carefully and prepare for the confrontation ahead. This moment sets the stage for the moral dilemma Arjuna is about to face, where he must choose between his duty as a warrior (Kshatriya) and his love for his family and friends who are on the opposite side.
