In Bhagavad Gita 1.21, Arjuna speaks to Krishna for the first time and asks Him to drive their chariot into the space between the two armies.
Sanskrit Verse
सञ्जय उवाच · Sanjaya said
हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यम्
इदमाह महीपते
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये
रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत ॥ १-२१ ॥
hṛṣīkeśaṃ tadā vākyam
idamāha mahīpate
senayorubhayormadhye
rathaṃ sthāpaya me’cyuta
English transliteration hrisheekesham tadaa vaakyam
idamaaha maheepate
senayorubhayormadhye
ratham sthaapaya me’chyuta ॥ 1.21 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Sanjaya said: Then, O lord of the earth, he spoke these words to Hrishikesha. Arjuna said: O Achyuta, place my chariot between the two armies.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| हृषीकेशम् hṛṣīkeśam | to Hṛṣīkeśa (Kṛṣṇa) |
| तदा tadā | then |
| वाक्यम् vākyam | words |
| इदम् idam | these |
| आह āha | said |
| महीपते mahīpate | O lord of the earth (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) mahī (earth) + pate (O lord) |
| सेनयोः senayoḥ | of the armies |
| उभयोः ubhayoḥ | both |
| मध्ये madhye | in the middle |
| रथम् ratham | chariot |
| स्थापय sthāpaya | place |
| मे me | my |
| अच्युत acyuta | O Acyuta, the infallible one (Kṛṣṇa) |
Word-wise Chanting
- hṛ–ṣī–ke–śaṃ ta–dā vāk–yam– 8 syllables hri-shee-ke-sham ta-daa vaak-yam-
- i–da–mā–ha ma–hī–pa–te | 8 syllables i-da-maa-ha ma-hee-pa-te
- se–na–yo–ru–bha–yor–madh–ye 8 syllables se-na-yo-ru-bha-yor-madh-ye
- ra–thaṃ sthā–pa–ya me–‘cyu–ta || 1-21 8 syllables ra-tham sthaa-pa-ya me-‘chyu-ta
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 1 Verse 21
Context
Arjuna has just raised his bow (1.20). These are his first words in the Gita; the verse begins with Sanjaya’s line and ends with Arjuna’s request.
Meaning
Arjuna addresses Krishna as Achyuta, “the one who does not fall or fail.” He asks his charioteer to place him between the two armies, the space of seeing. A great warrior commands his divine friend, and Krishna obeys. Here the Lord of the universe serves as driver, a picture of the Divine responding to sincere human intention.
Inwardly, the place “between the two armies” is the space of reflection, where we step back from the forces pulling us in opposite directions. Only from there can we see clearly. The Gita’s teaching will be given in exactly this space. When we ask the inner Self to take us there, it does.
In Practice
Faced with a conflict, physically step back for a few minutes: take a walk or change rooms. Look at both sides from the middle before deciding anything.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (The Yoga of Arjuna’s Despondency). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.