Verse (Bhagavad Gita 1.23)
Sanskrit:
योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः ।
धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः ॥ २३ ॥
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Literal Translation:
"I wish to observe those who have gathered here to fight, those who seek to please the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra by engaging in battle."
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Samkhya Perspective and Interpretation:
In this verse, self-awareness (Arjuna) attempts to identify the specific mental tendencies (vasanas and samskaras) that support ignorance (symbolized by Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana). Arjuna seeks to discern the attachments and distortions of the conditioned mind that align with ignorance and resist transformation.
Word-by-Word Breakdown (Samkhya Perspective):
योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं (Yotsyamānān Avekṣe 'Ham – I wish to observe those who are ready to fight)
→ Represents the inner examination of one's own attachments and mental constructs that resist transformation.
→ The seeker of truth (Arjuna) desires to understand the nature of his own internal obstacles.
य एतेऽत्र समागताः (Ye Ete 'Tra Samāgatāḥ – Those who have assembled here)
→ Symbolizes the gathered impressions (samskaras) within the subconscious mind.
→ These forces have come together to challenge the journey toward wisdom.
धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेः (Dhārtarāṣṭrasya Durbuddheḥ – The evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra)
→ Dhritarashtra (blind king) = Ego, attachment to the material world.
→ Duryodhana (evil-minded son) = The distorted intellect, driven by unchecked desires and false identification with the ego.
→ Durbuddhi (evil intelligence) = The lower mind, which rationalizes and defends ignorance.
युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः (Yuddhe Priya-Cikīrṣavaḥ – Those who wish to please him in battle)
→ Represents mental tendencies (habitual thoughts, attachments, and emotions) that serve the ego and resist wisdom.
→ These forces (Kauravas) seek to uphold ignorance and prevent transformation.
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Final Samkhya-based Translation:
"Self-awareness (Arjuna) examines the battlefield of the mind, seeking to understand the forces that uphold ignorance. He desires to recognize the conditioned tendencies (vasanas) that align with the distorted intellect (Duryodhana) and ego (Dhritarashtra). These tendencies, driven by habitual patterns and attachments, resist transformation and seek to preserve the false sense of self. To progress, the seeker must first discern the nature of these inner adversaries before engaging in the battle for wisdom."
This verse highlights the importance of inner reflection before transformation. The mind must first recognize the forces that resist change before one can transcend them.