IMPORTANT VERSES OF CHAPTER 1

1. Dhritarashtra said: What did the sons of Pandu and also my people do when they had assembled together, eager for battle on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?

10. This army of ours marshaled by Bhishma is unconquerable, whereas their army, marshaled by Bhima, is easy to conquer.

21-22. Arjuna said: In the middle of the two armies, place my chariot, O Krishna, so that I may behold those who stand here, desirous to fight, and know with whom I must fight when the battle begins.

26. Then Arjuna saw there stationed, grandfathers and fathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons and friends, too.

27. (He saw) fathers-in-law and friends also in both armies. The son of Kunti-Arjuna-seeing all these kinsmen standing arrayed, spoke thus sorrowfully, filled with deep compassion.

28 - 29. Arjuna said: Seeing these, my kinsmen, O Krishna, arrayed, eager to fight, up, on end! My limbs fail and my mouth is parched my body quivers and my hairs stand on end!

30. The (bow) 'Gandiva' slips from my hand and my skin burns all over; I am unable even to stand, my mind is whirling, as it were.

31. And I see adverse omens, O Kesava! I do not see any good in killing my kinsmen in battle.

32. For I desire neither victory, O Krishna, nor pleasures nor kingdoms! Of what avail is a dominion to us, O Krishna, or pleasures or even life?

33 - 34 O Govinda, of what avail to us are kingdoms, happiness or even life itself when all those for whom we may desire them are now arrayed in this battlefield? O Madhusudana, when teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in- law and all relatives are ready to give up their lives and properties and are standing before me, then why should I wish to kill them, though I may survive? O maintainer of all creatures, I am not prepared to fight with them even in exchange for the three worlds, let alone this earth.

46. If the sons of Dhritarashtra with weapons in hand should slay me in battle, unresisting and unarmed, that would be better for me.

47. Sanjaya said: having thus spoken in the midst of the battlefield, Arjuna, casting away his bow and arrow, sat down on the seat of the chariot with his mind overwhelmed with sorrow.

Questions:

Q1. Why does Arjuna not want to fight?
Q2. Why is Arjuna the ideal disciple?
Q3. What reasons Arjuna is giving?