Why Did Arjuna Lower His Bow?

1. Two armies stood facing each other. Between them, Krishna held the reins while Arjuna looked carefully across the field of Kurukshetra.
2. “Krishna, please place the chariot between the armies. I want to see those whom I must face in battle.”
3. Krishna guided the four white horses forward. The chariot moved to a place where Arjuna could clearly see both sides.
4. Krishna stopped the chariot before Bhishma, Drona, and the other rulers. Now Arjuna could look closely at everyone who had gathered.
5. Arjuna looked to the left and then to the right. Everywhere he recognized relatives, teachers, friends, and people he had known for a long time.
6. He saw Bhishma, the elder of their family. When Arjuna was little, Bhishma cared for him and gave him blessings.
7. He saw Drona, the teacher who had taught him archery. Arjuna had always treated his teacher with deep respect.
8. Among the warriors were Arjuna’s cousins, his friends, and other loved ones. Now they stood on opposite sides.
9. Arjuna understood that many of those before him were not unknown enemies. They were one large family divided by a long quarrel.
10. Arjuna felt a great heaviness. He no longer thought about victory, but about those he might lose.
11. Arjuna’s legs grew weak, his mouth became dry, and his hands began to tremble. Strong feelings kept him from thinking clearly.
12. Arjuna’s famous bow, Gandiva, began to slip from his hand. Arjuna could no longer stand calmly.
13. One thought followed another. What would this battle bring? Who would truly benefit from such a victory?
14. “Krishna, I do not want victory, a kingdom, or happiness if the people I love must suffer for it.”
15. Arjuna imagined a rich palace after victory. But without the people dear to him, even its golden halls seemed empty.
16. He thought of the families waiting at home. If the elders did not return, who would care for the children and pass good knowledge on to them?
17. Arjuna knew that Duryodhana’s greed and injustice were wrong. But he feared that the battle would bring even more sorrow.
18. And yet Arjuna was a warrior and protector. His duty was to stop injustice. How could he do his duty without causing terrible sorrow?
19. Which path was right? Fighting seemed unbearable. But turning away and leaving wrongdoing unanswered seemed wrong too.
20. Arjuna lowered Gandiva and sat down in the chariot. Grief clouded his thoughts.
21. Krishna did not leave His friend. He stayed beside him—calm, attentive, and ready to help Arjuna see what he could not yet understand.
22. Arjuna admitted honestly, “I am confused, and I do not know what the right thing to do is.”
23. “Now I am Your student. Please teach me and tell me what will bring true good.”
24. Krishna smiled gently: His friend was ready to listen. Between the two armies, He began to reveal the wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna.

Authoritative sources

• Bhaktivedanta Vedabase
• Bhaktivedanta Vedabase
• Bhaktivedanta Vedabase
• Bhaktivedanta Vedabase
• Bhaktivedanta Vedabase
• Bhaktivedanta Vedabase
• Bhaktivedanta Vedabase
• Bhaktivedanta Vedabase
• Bhaktivedanta Vedabase
• Bhaktivedanta Vedabase
• Bhaktivedanta Vedabase
• Bhaktivedanta Vedabase
• Bhaktivedanta Vedabase