Shloka 24

Arjuna Vishada Yoga — The Yoga of Arjuna's Despondency

Devanagari script

सञ्जय उवाच । एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम् ॥ १.२४ ॥

Transliteration

sañjaya uvāca | evam ukto hṛṣīkeśo guḍākeśena bhārata senayor ubhayor madhye sthāpayitvā rathottamam || 1.24 ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: Thus addressed by Guḍākeśa, O Bhārata, Hṛṣīkeśa placed the excellent chariot between the two armies.

Gita Press Meaning

Sañjaya said: Thus addressed by Guḍākeśa (Arjuna), Hṛṣīkeśa placed the excellent chariot between the two forces, O Bhārata.

Critical Edition Meaning

Sañjaya said: “So instructed by Guḍākeśa, Hṛṣīkeśa positioned the splendid chariot between both armies, O descendant of Bharata.”

Comparative Note

Traditional translations often gloss epithets (‘Guḍākeśa’ as Arjuna; ‘Bhārata’ addressing Dhṛtarāṣṭra). The academic version preserves the layered address structure and narrative framing.

Word by Word

• सञ्जयः: Sanjaya
• सञ्जयः: Karta
• Root: सञ्जय

• उवाच: said
• Root: √वच्

• एवम्: thus
• Root: एवम्

• उक्तः: having been addressed; spoken to
• Root: √वच् (उक्त)

• हृषीकेशः: Hrishikesha (Krishna, lord of the senses)
• हृषीकेशः: Karta
• Root: हृषीकेश

• गुडाकेशेन: by Gudakesha (Arjuna)
• गुडाकेशेन: Karana
• Root: गुडाकेश

• भारत: O Bharata (descendant of Bharata)
• Root: भारत

• सेनयोः: of the two armies
• Root: सेना

• उभयोः: of both
• Root: उभ

• मध्ये: in the middle
• मध्ये: Adhikarana
• Root: मध्य

• स्थापयित्वा: having placed; having stationed
• Root: √स्था (णिच्)

• रथोत्तमम्: the excellent chariot
• रथोत्तमम्: Karma
• Root: रथोत्तम

Speakers

• Sanjaya

Primary Concepts

• Guidance (guru/saṅgati)
• Agency
• Dharma

Key Themes

• Narrative mediation
• Supportive leadership
• Setting the stage for insight

FAQs

Psychological significance?

The verse depicts responsive guidance: a trusted counselor helps create the conditions for clear seeing, rather than forcing a conclusion.

Metaphysical meaning?

Positioning the chariot can symbolize placing awareness at a balanced vantage point, enabling insight into competing forces within experience.

Contextual relevance?

Sañjaya’s narration maintains the epic frame (telling Dhṛtarāṣṭra what occurs) and moves the scene to the pivotal viewing point.

Modern Application?

In complex dilemmas, practical support (structuring the situation, creating perspective) can be as important as advice.