1.26

Verse (Bhagavad Gita 1.26)

Sanskrit:

तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान्।

आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा।

श्वश‍ुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि ॥ २६ ॥

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Literal Translation:

"There, Arjuna saw standing before him in both armies—his fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends, fathers-in-law, and well-wishers."

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Samkhya Perspective and Interpretation:

This verse represents the moment of deep realization when the seeker (Arjuna) sees the interconnected nature of all his attachments. The battlefield is not just an external war; it is an internal confrontation with relationships, past influences, and emotional ties that shape the conditioned self.

Arjuna's hesitation arises not merely from the fear of battle but from the recognition that his struggle is against aspects of himself—his familial bonds, societal roles, and psychological conditioning.

Word-by-Word Breakdown (Samkhya Perspective):

तत्र अपश्यत् स्थितान् पार्थः (Tatra Apaśyat Sthitān Pārthaḥ – There Arjuna saw standing before him)

→ Arjuna, the individual soul (Jiva), becomes aware of the deep-rooted attachments that influence his identity.

→ "Standing before him" = These influences have always been there, but now he truly sees them for what they are.

पितॄन् अथ पितामहान् (Pitr̄īn Atha Pitāmahān – Fathers and grandfathers)

→ Fathers (Pitr̄īn) = Recent conditioning, learned behaviors, immediate influences.

→ Grandfathers (Pitāmahān) = Ancient samskaras (impressions), inherited tendencies passed down through generations.

आचार्यान् मातुलान भ्रातॄन् (Ācāryān Mātulān Bhrātr̄īn – Teachers, maternal uncles, and brothers)

→ Teachers (Ācāryān) = Intellectual training, knowledge systems that have shaped perception.

→ Maternal uncles (Mātulān) = Emotional influences from extended family and external conditioning.

→ Brothers (Bhrātr̄īn) = Aspects of self closely tied to ego and competition.

पुत्रान् पौत्रान् सखींस् तथा (Putrān Pautrān Sakhīṁs Tathā – Sons, grandsons, and friends)

→ Sons (Putrān) = Future aspirations, expectations, and attachments to outcomes.

→ Grandsons (Pautrān) = Deep-seated desires and potential futures.

→ Friends (Sakhīṁs) = Emotional attachments and social conditioning.

श्वशुरान् सुहृदश्चैव (Śvaśurān Suhṛdaś Chaiva – Fathers-in-law and well-wishers)

→ Fathers-in-law (Śvaśurān) = Karmic obligations and social responsibilities.

→ Well-wishers (Suhṛdaḥ) = Supportive but binding emotional influences.

सेनयोः उभयोः अपि (Senayoḥ Ubhayoḥ Api – In both armies)

→ This realization applies to both sides—meaning, Arjuna sees that whether it's "his side" or the "opposition," they all represent internalized influences shaping his identity.

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Final Samkhya-based Translation:

"There, the seeker (Arjuna) perceived the full extent of his attachments—the deep-rooted influences of past conditioning (ancestors), intellectual training (teachers), emotional ties (family and friends), and karmic obligations (societal roles). These forces, standing on both sides of the battlefield, represent the inner struggle between conditioned identity and spiritual awakening. In this moment of clarity, Arjuna sees that his real battle is not just external—it is an inner confrontation with everything that has shaped him."

This verse highlights a major turning point—the recognition of self-identity as a sum of attachments. Arjuna's distress is not about war itself but about facing the truth of who he is and what binds him. This is the first step toward self-inquiry and liberation.