Chapter 1, Verse 21 (Bhagavad Gita 1.21)
Chapter 1: Arjun Viṣhād Yog – Arjuna's Dilemma
Sanskrit Shloka
अर्जुन उवाच हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत
Transliteration
arjuna uvācha senayor ubhayor madhye rathaṁ sthāpaya me ’chyuta
Word Meanings
arjunaḥ uvācha—Arjun said; senayoḥ—armies; ubhayoḥ—both; madhye—in the middle; ratham—chariot; sthāpaya—place; me—my; achyuta—Shree Krishna, the infallible One;
Translation
Arjuna said, "O Krishna, place my chariot in the middle between the two armies, so that I may behold those who stand here, desirous to fight, and know with whom I must fight when the battle is about to commence."
Meaning & Commentary
Arjuna’s request signifies the psychological need for clarity and objective detachment before confronting internal or external conflicts. By positioning himself between the armies, he seeks to witness the duality of life—attachment versus duty—to gain a neutral perspective before the inevitable battle of the self.