Bhagavad Gita 1.23 — Arjuna Wants to See Those Eager to Please Duryodhana
योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः ।
धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः ॥ १.२३ ॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
I wish to look at those who are about to fight and who have assembled here, wishing to please in battle the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yotsyamānān | those who are about to fight |
| avekṣhe | I wish to look at |
| aham | I |
| ye | who |
| ete | these |
| atra | here |
| samāgatāḥ | have assembled |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| dhārtarāṣhṭrasya | of the son of Dhritarashtra (Duryodhana) |
| durbuddheḥ | evil-minded |
| yuddhe | in battle |
| priyachikīrṣhavaḥ | wishing to do what pleases |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yotsyamānān | those who are about to fight | dhārtarāṣhṭrasya | of the son of Dhritarashtra (Duryodhana) |
| avekṣhe | I wish to look at | durbuddheḥ | evil-minded |
| aham | I | yuddhe | in battle |
| ye | who | priyachikīrṣhavaḥ | wishing to do what pleases |
| ete | these | ||
| atra | here | ||
| samāgatāḥ | have assembled | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Arjuna adds his final words of the request: he wishes to see those who have assembled to fight, wanting to please the evil-minded son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra in battle. At this point Arjuna's judgement of the enemy is still firm and clear, a perspective that will soon be shaken.
Essence
Arjuna's request ends with a statement of moral certainty.
A. Yotsyamānān avekṣe 'haṁ ya ete 'tra samāgatāḥ (I wish to see those who have gathered here to fight)
He repeats his wish to see the assembled warriors, using the word avekṣe, to survey. The repetition shows his determination to look at the whole field.
B. Dhārtarāṣṭrasya durbuddher yuddhe priyacikīrṣavaḥ (those who wish to please the evil-minded son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra in battle)
Here Arjuna calls Duryodhana durbuddhi, of evil or confused understanding. It is a clear moral judgement. In Arjuna's eyes, the warriors on the other side are not fighting for a righteous cause, but only to please a wrongdoer. At this moment he still sees the situation in black and white.
This clarity will not last. As soon as Arjuna sees the faces of the individuals, his certainty about right and wrong will give way to emotion. It is a reminder that moral clarity at a distance is easier than moral clarity up close.
C. The role of loyalty
Arjuna's phrase priyacikīrṣavaḥ, 'wishing to do what is pleasing', points to the way in which many on the Kaurava side are fighting out of loyalty to one person rather than conviction in the cause. It is the same point we noticed in verse 9, when Duryodhana spoke of those fighting 'for my sake'.
Message for Everyday Life (Judging From a Distance)
It is easy to judge a group or a situation when we see it from far away. When we come closer and see the people involved as individuals, with histories and relationships, our feelings change. The Gita invites us to hold both truths: the clarity of dharma and the compassion for people, without letting either collapse into the other.
Arjuna's request ends with a statement of moral certainty.
A. Yotsyamānān avekṣe 'haṁ ya ete 'tra samāgatāḥ (I wish to see those who have gathered here to fight)
He repeats his wish to see the assembled warriors, using the word avekṣe, to survey. The repetition shows his determination to look at the whole field.
B. Dhārtarāṣṭrasya durbuddher yuddhe priyacikīrṣavaḥ (those who wish to please the evil-minded son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra in battle)
Here Arjuna calls Duryodhana durbuddhi, of evil or confused understanding. It is a clear moral judgement. In Arjuna's eyes, the warriors on the other side are not fighting for a righteous cause, but only to please a wrongdoer. At this moment he still sees the situation in black and white.
This clarity will not last. As soon as Arjuna sees the faces of the individuals, his certainty about right and wrong will give way to emotion. It is a reminder that moral clarity at a distance is easier than moral clarity up close.
C. The role of loyalty
Arjuna's phrase priyacikīrṣavaḥ, 'wishing to do what is pleasing', points to the way in which many on the Kaurava side are fighting out of loyalty to one person rather than conviction in the cause. It is the same point we noticed in verse 9, when Duryodhana spoke of those fighting 'for my sake'.
Message for Everyday Life (Judging From a Distance)
It is easy to judge a group or a situation when we see it from far away. When we come closer and see the people involved as individuals, with histories and relationships, our feelings change. The Gita invites us to hold both truths: the clarity of dharma and the compassion for people, without letting either collapse into the other.
Next Topic
Arjuna has finished his request. In the next verse, Sañjaya resumes the narration and tells Dhṛtarāṣṭra what Lord Krishna did when he heard these words.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Ask why before you ask who.
Loyalty without conscience can become complicity.
Certainty weakens when faces replace labels.
Those who please the wrong person walk a risky road.
Moral certainty is tested up close.
Understand whom you serve.
Our judgement of others mirrors our own values.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Arjuna call Duryodhana 'durbuddheḥ' (evil-minded)?
Who are those 'priyachikīrṣhavaḥ' (wishing to please)?
Does Arjuna blame all the Kaurava warriors?
Why is this verse important for the story?
What lesson does this hold for today?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: