Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 Verse 20 (1.20)
Reflective Prompt:
Imagine you have a big science project due tomorrow and feel overwhelmed. What helps more? For adults, imagine your company's project deadline is tomorrow and you are unsure how to complete the work.
- ▪ Option 1: Forget about the project and hope it fixes itself.
- ▪ Option 2: Open the project, see what is left, and understand which part needs your attention.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 Verse 20 (1.20)
अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान्कपिध्वजः । प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः ॥ २० ॥
atha vyavasthitāndṛiṣhṭvā dhārtarāṣhṭrānkapidhvajaḥ pravṛitte śhastrasampāte dhanurudyamya pāṇḍavaḥ
Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
- अथ
(Atha)— अथ(then) - यवइत
(vyavasthitan)— व्यूहबद्ध(arranged) - दृष्ट्वा
(drishtva)— देखकर(seeing) - धार्तराष्ट्रान्
(Dhartarashtran)— धृतराष्ट्र पुत्रों को(the sons of Dhritarashtra) - कइ-वज
(kapi-dhvajah)— कइ-वज(one whose banner bears Hanuman)
Line 2:
- रइए
(pravritte)— रइए(when begun) - शर-सपए
(shastra-sampate)— शस्त्र(the release of weapons) - धउ
(dhanuh)— धनुष(bow) -
idjoined in dhanurudyamya - यः
(yah)— जो(who) -
mjoined in dhanurudyamya - यः
(yah)— जो(who) - पाण्डवाः
(Pandavah)— पाण्डव(Arjuna)
English: Then Arjuna, whose banner bore Hanuman, saw Dhritarashtra's sons arranged for battle. As weapons were about to be released, he lifted his bow.
Learnings from Shloka 20:
- Arjuna is prepared: He lifts his bow and is ready before doubt arises.
- Crisis can come to the capable: Inner conflict is not the same as weakness.
- Symbols carry meaning: Hanuman on the banner points to courage, devotion, and strength.
Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz
Practice this shloka vocabularyMatch Sanskrit words from shloka 1.20 with their Hindi and English meanings.
Practice vocabulary
Arjuna sees the Kaurava army arranged for battle and lifts his bow. The moment is still active and disciplined; he is prepared to fight before his emotional crisis begins.
This matters because Arjuna is not weak or careless. His later hesitation comes after deeper moral reflection, not from lack of courage. The Gita begins by showing a capable warrior facing a difficult inner question.