"dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca ." — Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 1

Shloka 1.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच | धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः | मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ||१-१||

dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca . dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ . māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāścaiva kimakurvata sañjaya ||1-1||

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The Translation

“Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, assembled on the holy field of Kurukshetra, eager to fight, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do?”

Commentary & Insights

Historical Context

King Dhritarashtra, physically and spiritually blind, asks his charioteer Sanjaya about the events unfolding on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Sanjaya has been gifted divine vision (divya-drishti) by the sage Vyasa, allowing him to see and report everything happening in real-time.

The Sacred Meaning

The battlefield is called Dharmakshetre because Kurukshetra was historically a sacred land of righteous actions and sacrifices. Dhritarashtra's anxiety is visible here: he fears that the spiritual influence of this sacred ground might inspire a change of heart in his sons, leading them to call off the war or make an unfavorable peace, or that the righteousness of the field will favor the Pandavas.

Modern Relevance

Symbolically, the battlefield of Kurukshetra represents the human mind. The conflict between the Kauravas (representing our lower, selfish desires and negative habits) and the Pandavas (representing our higher, virtuous virtues and noble aspirations) is a daily battle we all face. This verse prompts us to examine the state of our own mind: What are the forces of light and darkness doing within us today?

Related Verses

Verse 2.1 — Arjuna's Despair Read Verse

"Sanjaya said: Seeing Arjuna full of compassion, his mind depressed, his eyes full of tears, Madhusudana spoke these words."

Verse 18.73 — Arjuna's Resolution Read Verse

"Arjuna said: My delusion is gone. I have regained my memory through Your grace. I am now firm, free from doubt, and will act according to Your word."

Sages' Views

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Adi Shankara

Advaita Vedanta

Dhritarashtra’s physical blindness represents spiritual blindness or ignorance (Avidya). The battle of Kurukshetra is the internal battle between the Pandavas (virtues) and Kauravas (vices) in the human heart.

॥ इति ॥

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Ramanujacharya

Vishishtadvaita

The field represents the place of duty and devotion. The battle represents the soul's struggle to align its will with the Divine purpose through surrender.

॥ इति ॥

Practical Application

Before making a decision today, identify where your personal attachments or biases might be blinding you to the objective truth.

Reflections & Notes

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Self-Reflection Prompts

Identify the internal conflicts you face today. What are the 'forces of light' (virtues) and 'forces of darkness' (unhelpful habits) in your own mind?
Dhritarashtra was physically and spiritually blind. In what areas of your life are you currently turning a blind eye to the truth?

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1.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच