Shloka 8
Āścarya-kathana: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Dialogue on Sūrya (Vivasvat) and the ‘Second Sun’ Phenomenon
वैशम्पायन उवाच समुपोढेष्वनीकेषु कुरुपाण्डवरयोर्मुथे । अर्जुने विमनस्के च गीता भगवता स्वयम्,वैशम्पायनजीने कहा--राजन्! जिस समय कौरव और पाण्डवोंकी सेनाएँ युद्धके लिये आमने-सामने डटी हुई थीं और अर्जुन युद्धसे अनमने हो रहे थे, उस समय स्वयं भगवानने उन्हें गीतामें इस धर्मका उपदेश दिया
vaiśampāyana uvāca | samupodheṣv anīkeṣu kurupāṇḍavayor mṛdhe | arjune vimanaskе ca gītā bhagavatā svayam |
Vaiśampāyana said: When the battle-formations of the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas had drawn up face to face for combat, and Arjuna’s mind sank into hesitation about fighting, the Blessed Lord Himself instructed him in this dharma through the teaching known as the Gītā.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the Bhagavad Gītā as a direct divine instruction on dharma given at the moment of ethical paralysis: when duty in war conflicts with compassion and fear of wrongdoing, guidance must clarify righteous action, inner steadiness, and responsibility.
The Kuru and Pāṇḍava forces are arrayed for battle, and Arjuna becomes mentally shaken and unwilling to fight. In response to this crisis, the Lord Himself delivers the Gītā as counsel, situating its teaching within the immediate pressure of impending war.