Chapter 01

The Yoga of Arjuna's Dejection

Arjuna Vishada Yoga

Arjuna faces a moral crisis on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, torn between duty and compassion. His despair sets the stage for Krishna's divine teachings.

moral dilemmacompassiondutydespair

2 lessons from 46 verses

Featured Lessons

Verse 30 →

Nimittani ca pashyami viparitani keshava, na ca shreyo 'nupashyami hatva svajanam ahave

I see only adverse omens, O Krishna, and I do not foresee any good from killing my own kinsmen in battle.

Key Teachings

•Moral confusion before right action
•Questioning violence even in duty
•The burden of difficult decisions

moral dilemma confusion duty ethics war

Verse 47 →

Sanjaya uvaca: Evam uktva arjunah sankhye rathopastha upavishat, visrijya sa-sharam capam shoka-samvigna-manasah

Having spoken thus, Arjuna cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the chariot seat, his mind overwhelmed with grief.

Key Teachings

•Even warriors face moments of despair
•Emotional overwhelm is human
•The need for divine guidance in crisis

grief despair surrender crisis human emotion