The Question that Started the Gita

The Bhagavad Gita opens with a single question from King Dhritarashtra—one that sets the stage for all the wisdom to follow.

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धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः | मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ||

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“O Sanjaya, gathered at Kurukshetra, the field of Dharma, my sons and the sons of Pandu — what did they do?”

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Blind in sight—and in soul—Dhṛtarāṣṭra asks Sanjaya to describe the war at Kurukshetra.

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Notice his bias: he calls only the Kauravas “mine.” The Pandavas are outsiders in his mind.

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Kurukshetra is called Dharma Kshetra (the field of righteousness), which delicately hints that righteousness will be victorious.

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Deep down, Dhritarashtra knows his sons stand against dharma. His question reveals anxiety about the outcome.

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This single verse introduces the eternal struggle: dharma vs. adharma. The battle is both outer and inner.

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Dive deeper into the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 1.1

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6 Lessons from Gita’s Opening Verse for the Mind

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The Question that Started the Gita

The Bhagavad Gita opens with a single question from King Dhritarashtra—one that sets the stage for all the wisdom to follow.

The Gita Begins

धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः | मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ||

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच |

“O Sanjaya, gathered at Kurukshetra, the field of Dharma, my sons and the sons of Pandu — what did they do?”

Dhritarashtra said:

Blind in sight—and in soul—Dhṛtarāṣṭra asks Sanjaya to describe the war at Kurukshetra.

The Blind King

Notice his bias: he calls only the Kauravas “mine.” The Pandavas are outsiders in his mind.

“My Sons” vs “The Pandavas”

Kurukshetra is called Dharma Kshetra (the field of righteousness), which delicately hints that righteousness will be victorious.

The Field of Dharma

Deep down, Dhritarashtra knows his sons stand against dharma. His question reveals anxiety about the outcome.

The King’s Doubt

This single verse introduces the eternal struggle: dharma vs. adharma. The battle is both outer and inner.

The Gita’s First Step

Dive deeper into the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 1.1

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6 Lessons from Gita’s Opening Verse for the Mind

The Hidden Spiritual Message of Bhagavad Gita 1.1

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