श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि। तान्समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेयः सर्वान्बन्धूनवस्थितान्।।1.27।।
tān samīkṣya sa kaunteyaḥ sarvān bandhūn avasthitān kṛpayā parayā viṣṭaḥ viṣīdan idam abravīt
Translation
Seeing all his relatives present there, Arjun, the son of Kunti, was overwhelmed with compassion, and with deep sorrow, spoke the following words.
Word Meanings
tān — all of them samīkṣya — after seeing saḥ — he kaunteyaḥ — the son of Kuntī sarvān — all kinds of bandhūn — relatives avasthitān — situated kṛpayā — by compassion parayā — of a high grade āviṣṭaḥ — overwhelmed viṣīdan — while lamenting idam — thus abravīt — spoke
Understanding the Verse
As Arjuna gazed upon the battlefield and saw his relatives on both sides, he was overcome with an intense wave of compassion. These were not mere soldiers to him—they were his family members. His grandfathers, teachers, friends, brothers, and sons were all assembled on the opposite side, ready to engage in a battle that would bring destruction to his own kin. The sight of this horrific reality filled Arjuna's heart with sorrow and compassion. In this verse, Arjuna is referred to as Kaunteya, the son of Kunti, his mother. This title emphasizes his lineage and his connection to his family, reinforcing the emotional conflict he faces. Up until now, Arjuna was a fearless warrior, eager for justice, but now, confronted with the faces of those he loved, his strength falters. His bravery gives way to compassion as he contemplates the consequences of the war. Sorrow and confusion take hold of Arjuna, and the fury he had once felt towards the Kauravas starts to fade. He no longer sees the battlefield as a place for a righteous battle; instead, he sees it as a place of immense loss and destruction. As a result, Arjuna speaks in deep lamentation, torn by the weight of his emotions. At this moment, the compassionate Arjuna begins to question the very purpose of this battle. He is deeply troubled and confused by the moral dilemma he faces. Should he fight for his kingdom, or should he renounce the war to avoid the suffering of his family? This emotional turmoil sets the stage for the teachings of Lord Krishna that will soon follow.
