सञ्जय उवाच |
एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत |
सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम् || 24||
भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखत: सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम् |
उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति || 25||
sañjaya uvācha
evam ukto hṛiṣhīkeśho guḍākeśhena bhārata
senayor ubhayor madhye sthāpayitvā rathottamam
bhīṣhma-droṇa-pramukhataḥ sarveṣhāṁ cha mahī-kṣhitām
uvācha pārtha paśhyaitān samavetān kurūn iti
sañjayaḥ uvācha—Sanjay said; evam—thus; uktaḥ—addressed; hṛiṣhīkeśhaḥ—Shree Krishna, the Lord of the senses; guḍākeśhena—by Arjun, the conqueror of sleep; bhārata—descendant of Bharat; senayoḥ—armies; ubhayoḥ—the two; madhye—between; sthāpayitvā—having drawn; ratha-uttamam—magnificent chariot; bhīṣhma—Grandsire Bheeshma; droṇa—Dronacharya; pramukhataḥ—in the presence; sarveṣhām—all; cha—and; mahī-kṣhitām—other kings; uvācha—said; pārtha—Arjun, the son of Pritha; paśhya—behold; etān—these; samavetān—gathered; kurūn—descendants of Kuru; iti—thus
Translation:
Sanjaya said: Advised thus by Arjuna Lord Krishna placed the noble chariot in the middle of the two armies, and in front of Bhishma and Drona, and all the Kings, and said: ‘O Arjuna! Behold those Kauravas gathered here.’
The word “Gudakesha” means “one who has conquered sleep.” Arjuna had mastered the need for sleep; he could carry on life’s activities without rest and was never overwhelmed by lethargy. By referring to him as “Gudakesha,” Sanjaya intended to convey to Dhritarashtra that his sons could never hope to overcome Arjuna, who was always alert and vigilant.
When Krishna said, “Behold these Kauravas assembled here,” He intended to fulfill Arjuna’s request to place the chariot between the two armies so that Arjuna could carefully observe all the warriors. Krishna positioned the chariot in such a way that Arjuna had a clear view of all the fighters. The chariot was brought to a standstill, allowing Arjuna to observe the warriors for as long as he wished.
The term “Kauravas” in the phrase “behold these Kauravas” carries special significance. By using it, Shri Krishna subtly reminded Arjuna that most of the fighters in the opposing army were members of his own family, his own kith and kin. It was an invitation for Arjuna to recognize the near and dear ones drawn up for battle. This subtle suggestion from the Lord brought to the surface Arjuna’s deep identification with, and attachment to, his family, which had until now remained concealed within his heart. These words served as the seed that triggered Arjuna’s faint-heartedness, born out of compassion and affection for his blood relations.
It seems that, in order to bestow His blessings upon the world using Arjuna as His instrument, the Lord deliberately induced this dejection in Arjuna’s mind. This reluctance to participate in the war led to the divine discourse of the Bhagavad Gita, which flowed directly from the lips of God Himself. This sacred teaching has sanctified the three worlds and will continue, for an infinite period of time, to uplift the souls of countless beings.