Bhagavad Gita BG 1.22
Chapter 1, Verse 22 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान् । कैर्मयाह सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन् रणसमुद्यमे ॥ २२ ॥
yāvad etān nirīkṣe 'haṃ yoddhu-kāmān avasthitān kair mayā saha yoddhavyam asmin raṇa-samudyame
Meaning
So that I may see those who have come here eager to fight, and know with whom I must contend in this great battle.
Understanding
Arjuna gives his reason for the request — he wants to survey the enemy, see who is eager to fight, and understand the scope of the confrontation. This is a standard military reconnaissance. But the result will be anything but strategic: what he sees will shatter his warrior's resolve and expose the deepest questions about duty, love, and righteousness.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| निरीक्षे | nirīkṣe | I may see / observe / survey |
| योद्धुकामान् | yoddhu-kāmān | those eager to fight |
| अवस्थितान् | avasthitān | those standing / arrayed |
| योद्धव्यम् | yoddhavyam | must be fought / to be fought against |
| रणसमुद्यमे | raṇa-samudyame | in this great battle / in this undertaking of war |
| यावत् | yāvat | until / so that / as long as |
| एतान् | etān | these (warriors) |
| अहम् | aham | I |
| कैः | kaiḥ | with whom / by whom |
| मया | mayā | by me / with me |
| सह | saha | together with / along with |
| अस्मिन् | asmin | in this (battle / undertaking) |