Bhagavad Gita 1.21 — Senayor Ubhayor Madhye — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १.२१ — सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
अर्जुनः उवाच
arjunaḥ uvācha
Arjun said
हृषीकेशम्
hṛiṣhīkeśham
to Hrishikesha, the master of the senses (Krishna)
तदा
tadā
then; at that time
वाक्यम् इदम्
vākyam idam
these words
आह
āha
said; spoke
महीपते
mahīpate
O lord of the earth (Sanjaya addressing Dhritarashtra)
सेनयोः
senayoḥ
of the armies
उभयोः
ubhayoḥ
of both
मध्ये
madhye
in the middle
रथम्
ratham
the chariot
स्थापय
sthāpaya
place; station
मे
me
my
अच्युत
achyuta
O Achyuta, the infallible One (Krishna)
Complete Translation
Arjuna said: O Achyuta (infallible Krishna), place my chariot in the middle, between the two armies, so that I may behold those who stand here desirous of battle, and know with whom I must fight as this clash of arms is about to begin.
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 21
Author: Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva)
Period: Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)
In the first chapter, Arjuna Vishada Yoga, after the conches have been blown and both armies stand ready, Arjuna asks his charioteer Krishna to drive the chariot between the two forces. Sanjaya narrates this to the blind king Dhritarashtra. The request leads Arjuna directly before his kinsmen, awakening the sorrow that becomes the occasion for the Bhagavad Gita.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Arjuna ask Krishna in Bhagavad Gita 1.21?▼
Arjuna asks Krishna, who is acting as his charioteer, to place the chariot in the space between the two armies so that he can clearly see the warriors who have gathered, eager to fight, before the battle begins.
Why does Arjuna call Krishna 'Hrishikesha' and 'Achyuta'?▼
'Hrishikesha' means the Lord of the senses, hinting that Krishna controls the very faculties Arjuna is about to lose mastery of; 'Achyuta' means the infallible, the one who never falls. The names express Arjuna's reverence and his trust in Krishna's steadfast guidance.
What is the significance of this verse in the Gita?▼
This verse is the turning point where Arjuna asks to view the battlefield. Standing between the two armies, he sees his own relatives and teachers, which triggers the grief and confusion (vishada) that prompts Krishna's entire teaching.
Who is the 'mahipate' addressed in the verse?▼
'Mahipate' (O lord of the earth) is Sanjaya's address to King Dhritarashtra. Sanjaya is narrating the events of the battlefield to the blind king, so he refers to Dhritarashtra while reporting Arjuna's words.
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