Chapter 1: The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair

Verses (47)

1. 1.1

   धृतराष्ट्र उवाच धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः। मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय।।1...

   When facing critical decisions, acknowledge the situation honestly and seek clear information before acting, rather than avoiding difficult truths.

2. 1.2

   सञ्जय उवाच दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा। आचार्यमुपसङ्गम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत्।।1.2।।

   When facing a challenging situation, seek counsel from experienced mentors before reacting. Pause, observe, and consult wisdom before deciding your ne...

3. 1.3

   पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम्। व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता।।1.3।।

   When facing overwhelming challenges, focus on understanding the situation clearly rather than being paralyzed by its scale or complexity.

4. 1.4

   अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि। युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः।।1.4।।

   Recognize and leverage the unique strengths of capable team members. Great outcomes emerge when skilled individuals are positioned to contribute their...

5. 1.5

   धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान्। पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गवः।।1.5।।

   Surround yourself with capable, courageous people of integrity. Your team's quality directly determines your collective success and resilience.

6. 1.6

   युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान्। सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथाः।।1.6।।

   Recognize and leverage the unique strengths of every team member; diverse talent pools, when properly identified and deployed, create unstoppable coll...

7. 1.7

   अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम। नायका मम सैन्यस्य संज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते।।1.7।।

   Know your key players. Identify and recognize the strongest contributors in your organization—they set the tone for everyone else.

8. 1.8

   भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः। अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च।।1.8।।

   Recognize the strengths of those around you—allies and competitors alike—to make informed decisions and build effective teams.

9. 1.9

   अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः। नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः।।1.9।।

   Surround yourself with skilled, committed people who bring diverse strengths. Success comes from building teams of dedicated specialists, not individu...

10. 1.10

    अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम्। पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम्।।1.10।।

    Strength comes from unified leadership and clear command structure, while fragmented teams with divided focus inevitably weaken, regardless of size.

11. 1.11

    अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः। भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि।।1.11।।

    Align your team's diverse strengths toward a shared priority. Coordinate individual roles strategically to protect what matters most to collective suc...

12. 1.12

    तस्य संजनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः। सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान्।।1.12।।

    Leaders inspire teams through decisive action and bold communication. Your confidence and clarity in critical moments energize others to perform at th...

13. 1.13

    ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः। सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत्।।1.13।।

    When facing major decisions, expect chaos and noise. Stay focused on your purpose rather than reacting to external commotion around you.

14. 1.14

    ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ। माधवः पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदध्मतुः।।1.14।।

    When facing critical moments, announce your intentions clearly and commit fully. Preparation and declaration together signal readiness and inspire you...

15. 1.15

    पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनंजयः। पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः।।1.15।।

    When facing critical moments, signal your intent clearly and boldly. Like warriors announcing their presence before battle, leaders must communicate t...

16. 1.16

    अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ।।1.16।।

    Each team member brings unique strengths to collective success. Recognize and deploy individual talents strategically rather than treating people as i...

17. 1.17

    काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः। धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः।।1.17।।

    Assemble diverse skilled specialists for your team—each brings unique strengths that multiply collective capability and competitive advantage.

18. 1.18

    द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते। सौभद्रश्च महाबाहुः शङ्खान्दध्मुः पृथक्पृथक्।।1.18।।

    When diverse teams unite with shared purpose, their combined strength creates unstoppable momentum. Alignment amplifies individual capabilities into c...

19. 1.19

    स घोषो धार्तराष्ट्राणां हृदयानि व्यदारयत्। नभश्च पृथिवीं चैव तुमुलो व्यनुनादयन्।।1.19।।

    When you take decisive action aligned with your values, its impact reverberates far beyond the immediate moment, shaking the foundations of opposition...

20. 1.20

    अथ व्यवस्थितान् दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान्कपिध्वजः। प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसंपाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः।।1.20।...

    When facing a critical decision, pause to observe the full situation before acting. Clear awareness precedes effective leadership.

21. 1.21

    अर्जुन उवाच हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत।।1.21।।

    Before acting, pause to observe the full situation. Strategic clarity comes from understanding all perspectives before committing to your course.

22. 1.22

    यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान्। कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन्रणसमुद्यमे।।1.22।।

    Before acting, assess all stakeholders and their positions. Understanding who stands with you and against you enables wiser strategic decisions.

23. 1.23

    योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः। धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः।।1.23।।

    Focus on understanding others' true motivations before engaging. People aligned with self-serving leaders often pursue conflict unknowingly. Recognize...

24. 1.24

    संजय उवाच एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम्।।1.24।।

    Before making critical decisions, pause to fully observe all stakeholders and consequences involved. Clear perspective precedes wise action.

25. 1.25

    भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम्। उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति।।1.25।।

    Position yourself to see the full picture before acting. Strategic clarity comes from stepping back to observe all stakeholders and circumstances, not...

26. 1.26

    तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितृ़नथ पितामहान्। आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातृ़न्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा।।1...

    When facing difficult decisions, acknowledge the human cost. Personal relationships complicate choices, but clarity comes from separating emotional at...

27. 1.27

    श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि। तान्समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेयः सर्वान्बन्धूनवस्थितान्।।1.27।।

    When facing difficult decisions affecting people you care about, acknowledge your emotions without letting them paralyze action. Compassion and clarit...

28. 1.28

    अर्जुन उवाच कृपया परयाऽऽविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत्। दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम्।।...

    When facing difficult decisions affecting people you care about, acknowledge your emotional resistance—it's human. Then separate feelings from duty to...

29. 1.29

    सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति। वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते।।1.29।।

    When overwhelmed by doubt and fear, pause before acting. Physical signals warn us to reconnect with purpose before proceeding with important decisions...

30. 1.30

    गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते। न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः।।1.30।।

    When doubt clouds your judgment, pause before deciding. Uncertainty signals the need for clarity, not avoidance. Seek perspective before committing to...

31. 1.31

    निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव। न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे।।1.31।।

    True leadership means questioning whether winning is worth the cost to your people and relationships. Success without integrity is hollow.

32. 1.32

    न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च। किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा।।1.32।।

    When personal ambitions conflict with relationships that matter most, reconsider what you're truly fighting for. Success means nothing if it costs you...

33. 1.33

    येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च। त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च।।1.3...

    Success means nothing when pursuing it costs relationships and harms those we care about. Reconsider what victory truly requires.

34. 1.34

    आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः। मातुलाः श्चशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः सम्बन्धिनस्तथा।।1.34।।

    When personal gain conflicts with relationships and integrity, choose people over profit. True success means nothing if it costs you those who matter ...

35. 1.35

    एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन। अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते।।1.35।।

    Principle over profit: true leadership means refusing compromises on core values, regardless of stakes or rewards offered.

36. 1.36

    निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन। पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः।।1.36।।

    Victory gained through harm to others creates lasting regret. True success comes from ethical choices, not defeating opponents at any cost.

37. 1.37

    तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्स्वबान्धवान्। स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव।।1.37।।

    Focus on long-term relationships over short-term wins. Destroying competitors or colleagues for immediate gain creates lasting regret and undermines g...

38. 1.38

    यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम्।।1.38।।

    When you clearly see harm from your choices, ignoring that knowledge makes you complicit. Act on what you know is right, even when others rationalize....

39. 1.39

    कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम्। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन।।1.39।।

    When you clearly see harm from your actions, ignoring that knowledge makes you complicit. Act with integrity even when others rationalize wrongdoing.

40. 1.40

    कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः। धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत।।1.40।।

    When organizational culture collapses, ethical standards erode rapidly. Protect your team's values and processes to prevent widespread dysfunction and...

41. 1.41

    अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः। स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः।।1.41।।

    When organizational culture weakens, trust erodes at all levels. Protect foundational values to prevent systemic breakdown and chaos.

42. 1.42

    सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च। पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः।।1.42।।

    Your choices ripple through generations. Neglecting responsibilities to family and community creates cascading harm that outlasts you, making integrit...

43. 1.43

    दोषैरेतैः कुलघ्नानां वर्णसङ्करकारकैः। उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्माः कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वताः।।1.43।।

    When leaders neglect their responsibilities, organizational culture collapses, roles blur, and institutional integrity deteriorates. Protect your syst...

44. 1.44

    उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन। नरकेऽनियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम।।1.44।।

    When you neglect your core responsibilities to people who depend on you, you create a personal hell of guilt, broken trust, and fractured relationship...

45. 1.45

    अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम्। यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः।।1.45।।

    Pursuing success through harm to relationships destroys the very foundation that makes success meaningful. Choose integrity over short-term gains.

46. 1.46

    यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः। धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत्।।1.46।।

    Choosing principled inaction over compromising your values yields greater long-term benefit than winning through unethical means.

47. 1.47

    सञ्जय उवाच एवमुक्त्वाऽर्जुनः संख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्। विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः।।1.47।।

    When overwhelmed by doubt, pause before acting. Clarity requires stepping back from immediate pressure, not abandoning responsibility entirely.