Chapter 1: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukñetra
Bg 1.20
TEXT 20
atha vyavasthitan drstva
dhartarastran kapi-dhvajah
pravrtte sastra-sampate
dhanur udyamya pandavah
hrsikesam tada vakyam
idam aha mahi-pate
SYNONYMS
atha—thereupon; vyavasthitän—situated; dåñövä—looking on; dhärtaräñörän—the sons of Dhåtaräñöra; kapi-dhvajaù—one whose flag is marked with Hanumän; pravåtte—while about to be engaged; çastra-sampäte—the arrows released; dhanuù—bow; udyamya—after taking up; päëòavaù—the son of Päëòu (Arjuna); håñékeçam—unto Lord Kåñëa; tadä—at that time; väkyam—words; idam—these; äha—said; mahé-pate—O King.
TRANSLATION
O King, at that time Arjuna, the son of Päëòu, who was seated in his chariot, his flag marked with Hanumän, took up his bow and prepared to shoot his arrows, looking at the sons of Dhåtaräñöra. O King, Arjuna then spoke to Håñékeça [Kåñëa] these words:
PURPORT
The battle was just about to begin. It is understood from the above statement that the sons of Dhåtaräñöra were more or less disheartened by the unexpected arrangement of military force by the Päëòavas, who were guided by the direct instructions of Lord Kåñëa on the battlefield. The emblem of Hanumän on the flag of Arjuna is another sign of victory because Hanumän cooperated with Lord Räma in the battle between Räma and Rävaëa, and Lord Räma emerged victorious. Now both Räma and Hanumän were present on the chariot of Arjuna to help him. Lord Kåñëa is Räma Himself, and wherever Lord Räma is, His eternal servitor Hanumän and His eternal consort Sétä, the goddess of fortune, are present. Therefore, Arjuna had no cause to fear any enemies whatsoever. And above all, the Lord of the senses, Lord Kåñëa, was personally present to give him direction. Thus, all good counsel was available to Arjuna in the matter of executing the battle. In such auspicious conditions, arranged by the Lord for His eternal devotee, lay the signs of assured victory.