Bhishma Parva · Chapter 27
Arjuna's Crisis at Kurukshetra
The story so far
Every attempt at peace has failed. The armies of the Pandavas and Kauravas stand face to face at Kurukshetra. Krishna is Arjuna's charioteer.
The conches had sounded. Arjuna said to Krishna, 'Take my chariot between the two armies; I want to see whom I must fight.' Krishna stopped the chariot right in front of Bhishma and Drona.
Arjuna looked: before him stood his grandfather Bhishma, his teacher Drona, his cousins, uncles, friends and their sons. His hands began to shake, his mouth went dry, and the bow slipped from his hand.
Arjuna sank down in the chariot and said, 'Keshava, what use is a kingdom won by killing my own people? I will not fight.' His eyes were full of tears.
Krishna smiled. He did not scold Arjuna, nor did he hand him a verdict. First he understood the confusion in Arjuna's mind, and then began the dialogue we now call the Bhagavad Gita.
क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते। क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप॥
O Partha, do not give in to weakness; it does not suit you. Cast off this petty faint-heartedness and arise.
— Bhagavad Gita 2.3
A lesson for today
Everyone faces a moment when they freeze. A true mentor doesn't impose a decision on you; they help you see clearly.
All chapters
- 1King Shantanu and Ganga
- 2Bhishma's Vow
- 3Satyavati and Sage Vyasa
- 4The Story of Amba
- 5The Birth of Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura
- 6Kunti's Boon and the Birth of Karna
- 7The Pandavas and Kauravas Are Born
- 8Guru Drona and the Bird's Eye
- 9Eklavya's Devotion to His Guru
- 10Karna at the Tournament
- 11The House of Lac
- 12Bhima and Hidimba
- 13Draupadi's Swayamvar
- 14Indraprastha and the Maya Sabha
- 15The Rajasuya and Shishupal
- 16The Game of Dice
- 17Draupadi's Honour Is Saved
- 18The Exile Begins
- 19Arjuna Wins the Pashupatastra
- 20Karna's Gift: The Armour and Earrings
- 21The Yaksha's Questions
- 22The Year in Disguise and Kichaka
- 23Uttar and Brihannala
- 24Krishna Chooses Sides
- 25Krishna's Peace Mission
- 26Karna's Truth: Krishna and Kunti
- 27Arjuna's Crisis at Kurukshetra
- 28Krishna Reveals His Cosmic Form
- 29Yudhishthira Seeks His Elders' Blessings
- 30Bhishma on the Bed of Arrows
- 31Abhimanyu and the Chakravyuh
- 32Arjuna's Vow and Jayadratha's End
- 33Ghatotkacha's Sacrifice
- 34'Ashwatthama Is Dead': The End of Drona
- 35Karna Takes Command and Bhima Keeps His Vow
- 36Karna and Arjuna: The Final Duel
- 37The Eighteenth Day: The End of Shalya and Shakuni
- 38Bhima and Duryodhana: The Mace Fight
- 39Ashwatthama's Night Attack
- 40The Brahmastra and Ashwatthama's Jewel
- 41Gandhari's Grief and Curse
- 42Karna's Secret and Yudhishthira's Sorrow
- 43Bhishma's Teachings from the Bed of Arrows
- 44Bhishma Leaves His Body at Uttarayana
- 45The Birth of Parikshit
- 46The Sacrificial Horse and Babruvahana
- 47The Half-Golden Mongoose
- 48The Elders Go to the Forest
- 49The Curse of the Iron Club and the End of the Yadavas
- 50Krishna Departs and Dwarka Sinks
- 51The Final Journey and Yudhishthira's Dog
- 52Yudhishthira in Heaven