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
vaiśampāyana uvāca | samupodheṣv anīkeṣu kurupāṇḍavayor mṛdhe | arjune vimanaskе ca gītā bhagavatā svayam |
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Ô roi, lorsque les formations de bataille des Kurus et des Pāṇḍavas s’étaient rangées face à face pour le combat, et que l’esprit d’Arjuna sombra dans l’hésitation à combattre, alors le Seigneur bienheureux Lui-même l’instruisit de ce dharma par l’enseignement connu sous le nom de la 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.