Arjuna said: Seeing my own people gathered here, eager for battle, I am overcome with pity and grief, O Krishna.
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 1.28
Hindi · हिन्दी
अर्जुन बोले हे कृष्ण युद्ध की इच्छावाले इस कुटुम्बसमुदाय को अपने सामने उपस्थित देखकर मेरे अङ्ग शिथिल हो रहे हैं और मुख सूख रहा है तथा मेरे शरीर में कँपकँपी आ रही है एवं रोंगटे खड़े हो रहे हैं । हाथ से गाण्डीव धनुष गिर रहा है और त्वचा भी जल रही है । मेरा मन भ्रमितसा हो रहा है और मैं खड़े रहने में भी असमर्थ हो रहा हूँ ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
अर्जुन उवाचArjuna saidकृपयाby compassion or pityपरयाsupremeआविष्टःovercomeविषीदन्grievingइदम्thisअब्रवीत्spokeदृष्ट्वाhaving seenइमम्thisस्वजनम्my own peopleकृष्णO Krishnaयुयुत्सुम्desiring to fightसमुपस्थितम्assembled before me
Read literallyArjuna said · by compassion or pity · supreme · overcome · grieving · this · spoke · having seen · this · my own people · O Krishna · desiring to fight · assembled before me
Understanding the verse
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It shifts the reader from abstract conflict to the human cost hidden inside it.
Built onkaruna
01
In plain words
What this verse means
Arjuna tells Krishna that seeing his own relatives gathered for battle has overwhelmed him with grief and pity.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna has already recognized fathers, teachers, cousins, and friends on both sides. Now, seeing his own people ready to fight, he collapses into grief. This verse marks the moment his inner conflict becomes impossible to hide.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You open a message thread and realize the argument will wound people you love. Your body tightens before your mind can defend the choice.
The takeaway
“Love can make violence feel unbearable, even when duty is waiting.”
It shifts the reader from abstract conflict to the human cost hidden inside it.
What this verse means
Arjuna tells Krishna that seeing his own relatives gathered for battle has overwhelmed him with grief and pity.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna has already recognized fathers, teachers, cousins, and friends on both sides. Now, seeing his own people ready to fight, he collapses into grief. This verse marks the moment his inner conflict becomes impossible to hide.
Why this verse still matters
You open a message thread and realize the argument will wound people you love. Your body tightens before your mind can defend the choice.
“Love can make violence feel unbearable, even when duty is waiting.”
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses), arjuna vishada (14 verses)