"Behold the Kauravas," initiates the Bhagavad Gita.

Krishna, in response to Arjuna's request, moves the chariot forward towards Bhishma, Drona, and all the kings. It is a place where one can clearly see the enemy army. Then, he tells Arjuna, who has conquered sleep and laziness ("Gudakesha"), "Look at the Kauravas gathered here."

Here, Krishna did not simply say, "See the enemy." The Kauravas are also Arjuna's own family. That single sentence brought to the surface the familial attachment and compassion that were hidden deep within his heart. Arjuna came to the center to confirm who he was fighting against, and from here, he entered a state of profound turmoil. And it is this turmoil that becomes the trigger for the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to begin.

Japanese Translation from the Gita Press Edition - Chapter 1, Verses 24-25: "Behold the Kauravas gathered here."

Sañjaya said: Thus, Hṛṣīkeśa was addressed by Guḍākeśa, O Bharata. Having placed the best chariot in between the two armies.

All of them, including Bhīṣma, Drona, and all the great warriors, said to Pārtha, "Behold these assembled Kurus."

Vocabulary

"sañjaya uvāca" means "San Jaya said."

"evam uktaḥ" means "thus said."

"hṛṣīkeśaḥ" refers to Lord Krishna.

guḍākeśena means "by Gudakesha," and here it refers to Arjuna. guḍākā means "sleep," and the one who conquers sleep is called guḍākeśa.

bhārata means "descendants of Bharata," and here it is a call to Dhritarashtra.

"senayoḥ ubhayoḥ madhye" means "between two armies."

"rathottamam" means "an excellent tank" or "a magnificent tank."

"bhīṣma-droṇa-pramukhataḥ" means "before Bhishma and Drona."

mahīkṣitām means "kings."

"pārtha" means "son of Pritha," which is a way to refer to Arjuna.

paśya means "see."

"samavetān kurūn" means "the people of the Kur clan who have gathered here."

Translation

Sanjaya said.

O King, Arjuna, who is known as Gudakesha, spoke in this way. Then, Shri Krishna placed his magnificent chariot between the two armies, before Bhishma, Drona, and all the kings.

And I said.

"Arjuna, look at the Kaurava army gathered here."

Annotative Translation

The word "Guḍākā" means "sleep." Those who have conquered sleep are called "Guḍākeśa."

Arjuna had conquered sleep. That is, he could continue his activities without taking rest or sleep, and he was not overwhelmed by drowsiness.

He was never defeated by laziness.

Sanjaya calls Arjuna "Guḍākeśa" in order to show Dhritarashtra that, because Arjuna is always carefully vigilant, it is impossible for the sons of Dhritarashtra to expect victory.

"Look at the Kauravas who have gathered here," said Bhagavan Shri Krishna, thereby demonstrating that he had fulfilled Arjuna's request.

Arjuna, asked that a chariot be placed between the two armies, and requested that it remain there until he had carefully observed all the warriors.

There, Krishna drove the chariot between the two armies, and placed it in a position from which Arjuna could clearly see all the warriors.

The tank was stopped there. Arjuna could see as many warriors as he wished.

"Look at the Kauravas gathered here." In this sentence, the phrase "the Kauravas" has a special meaning.

Krishna used these words to indicate that many of the soldiers in his army were members of Arjuna's own clan and close relatives.

It was an invitation to see those who are close and dear to me, preparing for battle.

The main character's hidden implication revealed, a deep sense of identification and attachment to his own family, which had been hidden in the depths of Arjuna's heart until then.

This word refers to, the seed of Arjuna's weakness, which arose from compassion stemming from affection for his relatives.

In order to bring benefits to the world, the Lord used Arjuna as an instrument, and it seems that through these words, he caused deep despair in his heart.

As a result, Arjuna became reluctant to participate in the war.

And from there, a stream of sweet and nectar-like words began to flow, directly from the mouth of God himself. This was the sacred Bhagavad Gita.

That flow purifies the Three Realms, elevates the souls of countless beings, and will continue to elevate them throughout infinite time.