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Bhagavad Gita 1.26 — Tatrapashyat Sthitan Parthah

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १.२६ — तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः

🕉️ hindu·📿 1× repetitions·🕐 During study of the first chapter of the Gita, in quiet morning reflection·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 26

Also known as: tatrapashyat sthitan parthah · acharyan matulan bhratrin · bhagavad gita 1.26 · gita 1 26 · arjuna sees his kinsmen · senayor ubhayor api

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Once the chariot is positioned between the two armies, Arjuna looks out and sees, on both sides, not strangers but his own family — fathers and grandfathers, teachers, uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends and elders. This recognition of beloved kinsmen arrayed against one another is the spark of his great sorrow. The verse poignantly captures the human tragedy at the heart of the battle of Kurukshetra.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 26 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the first chapter, Arjuna Vishada Yoga, after asking Krishna to draw the chariot between the armies, Arjuna gazes upon the assembled forces. Sanjaya narrates to Dhritarashtra how Arjuna beheld his own fathers, teachers, kinsmen and friends ranged on both sides — the sight that gives rise to the grief leading into Krishna's teaching.

✦ As told in scripture

Sages observe that Arjuna's compassion for his kinsmen, though it overwhelmed him, was the very tenderness of heart that made him a fit vessel for the Gita — for the Lord chose to reveal His highest wisdom to one whose heart could feel so deeply.

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The Mantra

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तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितृ़नथ पितामहान्। आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातृ़न्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा॥

tatrāpaśhyat sthitān pārthaḥ pitṝīn atha pitāmahān āchāryān mātulān bhrātṝīn putrān pautrān sakhīṁs tathā śhvaśhurān suhṛidaśh chaiva senayor ubhayor api

Meaning:There Arjuna saw, stationed in both armies, his fathers and grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons and friends, as well as fathers-in-law and well-wishers.

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

तत्र🔊tatrathere; in both armies

अपश्यत्🔊apaśhyatsaw

स्थितान्🔊sthitānstationed; standing

पार्थः🔊pārthaḥArjuna, son of Pritha

पितृ़न्🔊pitṝīnfathers (and paternal elders)

अथ🔊athathereafter; also

पितामहान्🔊pitāmahāngrandfathers

आचार्यान्🔊āchāryānteachers

मातुलान्🔊mātulānmaternal uncles

भ्रातृ़न्🔊bhrātṝīnbrothers

पुत्रान्🔊putrānsons

पौत्रान्🔊pautrāngrandsons

सखीन्🔊sakhīnfriends

तथा🔊tathāalso

श्वशुरान्🔊śhvaśhurānfathers-in-law

सुहृदः🔊suhṛidaḥwell-wishers

सेनयोः उभयोः🔊senayoḥ ubhayoḥin both the armies

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 1.26 — Tatrapashyat Sthitan Parthah

✦

Reveals the human cost of conflict that lies behind the Gita's teaching

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Awakens compassion and reflection on attachment to kith and kin

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Reminds the seeker how relationships can cloud clear discernment of duty

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Sets the emotional stage for Krishna's teaching on the eternal Self

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Encourages contemplation on rising above sorrow born of attachment

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Deepens understanding of why Arjuna's despondency (vishada) arose

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 1.26 — Tatrapashyat Sthitan Parthah

Repetitions1times

Best TimeDuring study of the first chapter of the Gita, in quiet morning reflection

Recite this verse while studying Chapter 1, picturing Arjuna scanning the two armies and recognising his own loved ones on both sides. Reflect on how attachment to relationships can disturb the mind and obscure one's sense of duty. Let the verse prepare you, alongside the verses that follow, for Krishna's teaching that lifts the soul beyond grief into the wisdom of the eternal Self.

Frequently Asked Questions

With his chariot placed between the armies, Arjuna sees his own relatives and loved ones stationed on both sides — fathers and grandfathers, teachers, uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends, fathers-in-law and well-wishers, all ready for battle.

Seeing his beloved kinsmen arrayed for mutual destruction triggers Arjuna's overwhelming grief and moral confusion. This despondency is the very reason Krishna delivers the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita, making this verse a crucial turning point.

It shows how attachment to relationships can cloud our judgment and shake our resolve. The Gita uses Arjuna's predicament to teach detachment, equanimity and the knowledge of the eternal Self that lies beyond all bodily relationships.