Krishna’s only words in the Gita’s first chapter

In the Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter, Krishna speaks only once (01.25): “O Partha, behold the Kurus assembled on the battlefield.” And he speaks these words after bringing Arjuna’s chariot to a place between the two armies (01.24) where Bhishma and Drona are prominently visible (01.25). 

Though Krishna doesn’t himself mention the names of Bhishma and Drona, the fact that they are mentioned in the same Gita verse that Krishna speaks is significant (01.25). Why? It suggests that Krishna wanted Arjuna to behold not just the Kauravas in general, but to focus in particular on these two leaders. Both of them were especially dear and venerable for Arjuna — seeing them reminded him forcefully what was really at stake in the war, thus triggering a series of questions. Was the death of such elders worth a kingdom? Did he really want the kingdom so badly? Ultimately, what really mattered in life? 

Would Arjuna have been better off not desiring to see the two armies from the middle of the battlefield? Contextually, yes: he could have spared himself the agony that afflicted him. Universally, no:  he wouldn’t have been forced to assess what really mattered for him — and he wouldn’t have sought or got the Gita’s wisdom that equipped him for such assessment. And humanity too would have been deprived of that wisdom. 

Once Arjuna decided to go on that track of assessing those on the opposite side (01.21-23), Krishna’s actions and words helped him to go fully down that track, thereby prompting a massive re-evaluation that was initially agonizing (01.30), but eventually energizing (18.73). 

One-sentence summary: 

Through the only words Krishna speaks in the Gita’s first chapter, he helps Arjuna see what was at stake, thus prompting discussion on life’s most important question: what really matters. 

Think it over: 

• What does the reference to Bhishma and Drona in Gita 01.25 suggest?
• Would Arjuna have been better off without going into the middle of the battlefield?
• How did Krishna accelerate the delivery of Gita wisdom?

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01.25: In the presence of Bhishma, Drona and all the other chieftains of the world, the Lord said, “Just behold, Partha, all the Kurus assembled here.”

To know more about this verse, please click on the image