In Bhagavad Gita 1.25, Krishna stops the chariot before Bhishma, Drona and the assembled kings and says to Arjuna: “Behold these Kurus gathered together.”
Sanskrit Verse
सञ्जय उवाच · Sanjaya said
भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः
सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम्
उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्
समवेतान्कुरूनिति ॥ १-२५ ॥
bhīṣmadroṇapramukhataḥ
sarveṣāṃ ca mahīkṣitām
uvāca pārtha paśyaitān
samavetānkurūniti
English transliteration bheeshmadronapramukhatah
sarveshaam cha maheekshitaam
uvaacha paartha pashyaitaan
samavetaankurooniti ॥ 1.25 ॥
Translation / Meaning
in front of Bhishma and Drona and all the rulers of the earth, and said: “O Partha, behold these Kurus assembled here.”
Verses 1.24–1.25 form one sentence.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः bhīṣmadroṇapramukhataḥ | in front of Bhīṣma and Droṇa bhīṣma (Bhīṣma) + droṇa (Droṇa) + pramukhataḥ (in front of) |
| सर्वेषाम् sarveṣām | of all |
| च ca | and |
| महीक्षिताम् mahīkṣitām | the rulers of the earth mahī (earth) + kṣitām (rulers) |
| उवाच uvāca | said |
| पार्थ pārtha | O Pārtha, son of Pṛthā (Arjuna) |
| पश्य paśya | behold |
| एतान् etān | these |
| समवेतान् samavetān | assembled |
| कुरून् kurūn | the Kurus |
| इति iti | thus |
Word-wise Chanting
- bhīṣ–mad–ro–ṇap–ra–mu–kha–taḥ 8 syllables bheesh-mad-ro-nap-ra-mu-kha-tah
- sar–ve–ṣāṃ ca ma–hī–kṣi–tām | 8 syllables sar-ve-shaam cha ma-hee-kshi-taam
- u–vā–ca pār–tha paś–yai–tān– 8 syllables u-vaa-cha paar-tha pash-yai-taan-
- sa–ma–ve–tān–ku–rū–ni–ti || 1-25 8 syllables sa-ma-ve-taan-ku-roo-ni-ti
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 25
Context
Completing the sentence begun in 1.24, Sanjaya reports the first words Krishna speaks in the Gita.
Meaning
Krishna chooses where to stop: directly in front of Bhishma and Drona, the grandfather and the teacher whom Arjuna loves and reveres. Then he speaks his first words: “Behold these Kurus.” He does not say “these enemies.” By calling them Kurus, the family name Arjuna shares, Krishna gently brings the hidden truth into view.
Krishna addresses Arjuna as Partha, son of Pritha (Kunti), an affectionate name that also reminds him of his mother’s family on the other side. A great teacher often begins not by explaining but by placing the student before reality and saying “look.” Arjuna’s crisis, and the whole Gita, flows from this one word: paśya, behold.
In Practice
Instead of giving advice to someone in difficulty, try helping them see their situation more fully, with a simple, honest question.
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.