Kurukshetra War Begins – Arjuna’s Crisis and the Bhagavad Gita
The peace mission had failed.
The Pandavas and Kauravas were now ready for war.
The armies of both sides gathered at Kurukshetra.
The battlefield was filled with great warriors, powerful weapons and thousands of soldiers.
But just before the battle began, Arjuna faced a deep emotional crisis.
He looked across the battlefield and saw his own relatives, teachers and friends standing against him.
He could no longer think about victory.
He only thought about the terrible destruction the war would cause.
1. The Armies Gather at Kurukshetra
The two armies assembled on the battlefield.
The Pandavas had a powerful army.
The Kauravas had an even larger army.
Great warriors stood on both sides.
On the Kaurava side were warriors such as:
- Bhishma
- Drona
- Karna
- Kripacharya
- Ashwatthama
- Duryodhana
On the Pandava side were:
- Yudhishthira
- Bhima
- Arjuna
- Nakula
- Sahadeva
- Drishtadyumna
- Shikhandi
- Satyaki
The battlefield was ready.
2. Duryodhana Looks at the Pandava Army
Duryodhana looked at the Pandava army.
He saw many powerful warriors standing against him.
He went to his teacher Drona and pointed out the important warriors on the opposing side.
Duryodhana knew that the battle would be extremely difficult.
The armies were waiting for the signal to begin.
3. Bhishma Blows His Conch
Bhishma, the great elder of the Kuru dynasty, gave the signal for the battle.
He blew his mighty conch.
The sound echoed across the battlefield.
Other warriors then blew their own conches and sounded their war instruments.
The entire battlefield became filled with a tremendous sound.
The war was about to begin.
4. Krishna Drives Arjuna’s Chariot
Arjuna’s chariot was driven by Krishna.
Arjuna asked Krishna to take the chariot between the two armies.
He wanted to see the warriors he would have to fight.
Krishna moved the chariot to a position where Arjuna could clearly see the Kaurava army.
Arjuna looked carefully at the people standing before him.
Then his heart began to change.
5. Arjuna Sees His Family
Arjuna saw Bhishma.
He saw Drona.
He saw his cousins.
He saw relatives, friends and other people he respected.
These were not strangers.
They were members of his own family.
Arjuna suddenly understood the enormous cost of the war.
His confidence disappeared.
He no longer wanted victory.
6. Arjuna’s Bow Slips From His Hands
Arjuna became overwhelmed with emotion.
His body began trembling.
His famous bow, Gandiva, slipped from his hands.
He told Krishna that he could not fight.
How could he kill his own relatives?
How could he fight the teachers who had taught him?
What would victory mean if the people he loved were dead?
Arjuna was caught between his emotions and his duty.
7. Arjuna Questions the Meaning of Victory
Arjuna told Krishna that he did not desire a kingdom obtained through the deaths of his own family.
He questioned whether victory was worth such suffering.
He feared the destruction of families and traditions.
His mind was filled with doubt.
Finally, Arjuna told Krishna that he did not know what the right decision was.
He asked Krishna to guide him.
This moment marked the beginning of one of the most famous spiritual conversations in Indian tradition.
8. Krishna Begins His Teaching
Krishna began explaining the deeper meaning of life, duty and the self.
He reminded Arjuna that the body is temporary, while the Atman, the inner self, is eternal.
Death does not destroy the eternal self.
Krishna therefore asked Arjuna to understand life beyond the physical body.
Arjuna listened carefully.
His confusion had not disappeared yet.
But Krishna’s teaching had begun to change his understanding.
9. The Path of Karma Yoga
Krishna explained the importance of Karma Yoga.
A person should perform their duty without becoming attached to the results.
Arjuna’s responsibility was to perform his duty as a warrior.
He should not fight because of hatred or personal desire.
He should act according to dharma.
This teaching helped Arjuna understand that action and intention were both important.
10. The Importance of Dharma
Krishna explained that every person has responsibilities.
Avoiding one’s duty simply because it is difficult is not always the path of righteousness.
Arjuna had to understand his role.
His challenge was not simply to win a war.
He had to act according to dharma while remaining free from selfish attachment.
This was one of the central ideas of Krishna’s teaching.
11. The Path of Knowledge
Krishna also explained the importance of knowledge.
A person who understands the difference between the temporary body and the eternal self can overcome fear and confusion.
True knowledge helps a person understand reality more clearly.
Arjuna slowly began to see his situation from a deeper perspective.
His mind became calmer.
12. Krishna’s Divine Form
As the teaching continued, Arjuna wanted to understand Krishna’s true nature.
Krishna granted him divine vision.
Arjuna then witnessed the Vishwaroopa, the cosmic form of Krishna.
He saw an immense divine manifestation beyond ordinary human understanding.
The vision filled Arjuna with wonder and fear.
He realized that Krishna was far more than an ordinary friend or charioteer.
13. Arjuna’s Confusion Begins to Disappear
After listening to Krishna’s teachings, Arjuna’s mind became clearer.
He understood that he could not simply run away from his responsibility.
He had to act according to dharma.
Krishna did not force Arjuna to make a decision.
Instead, he explained different paths and allowed Arjuna to understand them.
Arjuna eventually regained his determination.
He picked up his Gandiva again.
14. The Bhagavad Gita Ends and the War Begins
The great conversation between Krishna and Arjuna had come to an end.
Arjuna was ready.
His doubts had been overcome.
He accepted his responsibility and prepared to fight.
The armies stood waiting.
The conches sounded again.
The Kurukshetra war was about to begin.
The teachings Krishna gave Arjuna would become known as the Bhagavad Gita.
The Great War Begins
The conflict that had been building for years had finally reached the battlefield.
The Pandavas were fighting for their rightful kingdom.
The Kauravas were determined to hold their power.
The first warrior to command the Kaurava army would be Bhishma.
His presence would make the first days of the war extremely difficult for the Pandavas.
The story continues in Maha Bharatham Part 18 – Bhishma’s Command and the First Days of Kurukshetra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Arjuna refuse to fight?
Arjuna became overwhelmed after seeing his relatives, teachers and friends on the opposing side.
Who was driving Arjuna’s chariot?
Krishna was Arjuna’s charioteer.
What is the Bhagavad Gita?
The Bhagavad Gita is the spiritual dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
What did Krishna teach Arjuna?
Krishna taught Arjuna about dharma, karma, knowledge, devotion, the eternal self and the proper way to perform one’s duty.
What is Vishwaroopa?
Vishwaroopa is the cosmic form of Krishna that Arjuna was allowed to witness through divine vision.
Did Arjuna finally agree to fight?
Yes. After Krishna’s teachings, Arjuna overcame his confusion and prepared to perform his duty.