Adhiyaye 1 (6/8)
Gobind Gita Translation continued...
If you are new to this series, please read the preface & the previous sections here.
In the previous section, Arjun asks Sri Krishna Ji to bring Their Chariot in between both of the armies. Arjun is a fearless warrior that is getting amped for battle but Sri Krishna Ji gets him to question is intentions and realize in all this hype for war... he should realize he is fighting his own friends and family.
ਜੋ ਮੋ ਸੋ ਕਰਿਹੈ ਜੁਧ ਤਿਨੋ ਸੋ ਹਉ ਕਰੋਂ ॥
Whoever picks a fight with me (Jo Mo So Karihai Judhh), I will fight them back! (Tino So Hao[u] Karo[n])
ਧਿਤਰਾਸ਼ਟ੍ਰ ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਦੁਰਜੋਧਨ ਸੇ ਮੈ ਨਾ ਟਰੋਂ ॥
I will not hold back against (Sae Mai Naa Taro[n]) Dhritrashtra’s son Duryodhan (Dhitraashtr Putr Durjodhhan),
ਯਹੀ ਬਾਤ ਸੰਜੈ ਨੇ ਰਾਜਾ ਪੈ ਕਹੀ ॥
This is what (Yahee Baat) Sanjay narrated to the King (Sanjai Nae Raajaa Pai Kahee; King Dhritrashtra)
ਤਬ ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਬਾਗ ਅਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਗਹੀ ॥੪੧॥
Then about The Dark-Skinned one (Tab Sri Krishn Baag; Krsna means dark/black in sanskrit & Baag means clothes... describing the one who takes on the dark body) was made known to me (Asee[n] Kee Gahee; gahee can be understood as grasping, I was able to grasp or Asee[n] could be the one who holds the sword, so a continuation of qualities of Sri Krishna Ji).
ਦੋ ਸੈਨਾ ਕੇ ਮਧਿ ਰਥ ਇਸ ਥਾਪਿਆ ॥
In between the two armies (Do Sainaa Kae Madh[i]), the chariot was positioned (Rathh Eis Thhaapiaa)
ਭੀਖਮ ਦੋਨਾ ਸਨਮੁਖ ਰਥ ਕੋ ਰਾਖਿਆ ॥
The Chariot has been been placed (Rathh Ko Raakhiaa) facing Bheesham and Dronacharya (Bheekham Donaa Sanmukh; both of them are on the side of the Kauravs and against Arjun/Paandav's but Dronacharya trained Arjun and Bheesham was the one who hired Dronacharya to provide the training to him and his family in the first place)
ਮੁਖ ਸੋ ਬਚਨ ਉਚਾਰੇ ਕੇਸਵ ਪਰਮ ਸਰੂਪ ॥
Sri Krishna Ji (Kaesav Param Saroop: The Supreme Form with Beautiful Kesh/the Destroyer of Keshi Demon) said the following from Their Mouth:
ਸੁਨ ਅਰਜਨ ਪਰਬੀਨਿ ਨਿਰਮੈ ਤੁਝ ਸਰੂਪ ॥੪੨॥
Listen, Oh wise Arjun (Sun Arjan Parbeen[i]), Your True Form is without Identity/Individuality (Nirmai Tujh Saroop; Sri Krishna Ji are saying reflect upon the situation without an ego, become detached from your aggression & warmongering)
ਦੋਨੋ ਦਲੋ ਕੇ ਮਾਹਿ ਰਥ ਤੁਮਰਾ ਧਰਾ॥
In between both of the armies (Dono Dalo Kae Maah[i]), your chariot has been placed (Rathh Tumraa Dhharaa)
ਜੋ ਤੁਮ ਸੋ ਕਰਿਹੈ ਜੁਧ ਸੋ ਸਨਮੁਖ ਖੜਾ ॥
Whoever battles you (Jo Tum So Karihai Judhh), they are standing in front of you (So Sanmukh Kharhhaa)
ਤਬ ਪਾਰਥ ਯਹਿ ਬਚਨ ਸ੍ਰਵਨ ਕਰਿ ਪੇਖਿਆ ॥
Then Arjun listened to these bachans and saw (Tab Paarathh Yah[i] Bachan Sravan Kar[i] Paekhiaa; Parth is a name attributed to Arjun, referring to him being the son of Pritha)
ਸਤ੍ਰ ਸੈਨਾ ਕੇ ਮਾਹਿ ਮੀਤ ਸਭ ਦੇਖਿਆ ॥੪੩॥
In the enemy’s army (Satr Sainaa Kae Maah[i]); Arjun saw them all as friends (Meet Sabh Daekhiaa)!
ਅਰਜਨੋਵਾਚ ॥
Arjun says:
ਦੋਹਰਾ ॥ (Doharaa)
ਮੋਹ ਸੰਗ ਲਪਟਾਇਓ ਅਰਜਨ ਯਿਉ ਕਹੈ ॥
Entangled in emotional attachment (Moh Sa[n]g Laptaaeio;) Arjun has said this (Arjan Yio[u] Kahai; he no longer sees them as an enemy force because they are all familiar faces & important people to him but also lost in self-reflection):
ਹੇ ਰਿਖੀਕੇਸ ਮਧਸੂਦਨ ਸਤ੍ਰ ਸਭ ਮਿਤ੍ਰ ਲਹੈ ॥੪੪॥
Oh Sri Krishna Ji (Hae Rikhikaes Madhhsoodhan; Rikhikes means the master of senses; Madhhusoodhan means killer of the demon Madhu... all referring to Vishnu Ji/Krishna Ji), [I] have accepted all enemies as friends! (Satr Sabh Mitr Lahai)
ਸ੍ਵੈਯਾ ॥ (Svaiyaa)
ਹੇ ਮਧਸੂਦਨ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੋ ਜੀ ਇਹ ਸਭ ਦੇਖ ਮੈ ਭਇਆ ਹੈਰਾਨਾ ॥
Oh Sri Krishna Ji, what should I do Ji? (Hae Madhhsoodhan Kiaa Karo Jee)..
After seeing all of this I have become overwhelmed (Eih Sabh Dekh Mai Bheiaa Hairaanaa)
ਪਿਤਾ ਪਿਤਾਮੇ ਅਰੁ ਗੁਰ ਦੇਖੈ ॥
...having seen my father, grandfathers and teachers (Pita Pitaamae Ar[u] Gur Daekhai)
ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਪੋਤੇ ਦੇਖ ਲੁਭਾਨਾ ॥
... seeing the sons and grandsons they have become greedy (Putr Potrae Daekh Lubhaanaa; greedy in attachment to them)
ਸਾਲੇ ਸਸੁਰੇ ਅਰੁ ਸਭ ਬਾਂਧਵ ਯਹ ਦੇਖਤ ਮੈ ਭਇਆ ਦਿਵਾਨਾ ॥
Brother-in-Laws, Father-in-Laws and all the other relatives (Saalae Sasurae Ar[u] Sabh Baa[n]dhav)... upon seeing all of them I became crazy (Yah Daekhat Mai Bheiaa Divaanaa; getting caught up with my family misleading me... I lost clarity of thought)
ਥਰਹਰ ਕਾਂਪੋ ਜਲਉ ਸਰੀਰ ਮੈ ਇਨ ਕੇ ਹਤੇ ਨ ਹੋਇ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨਾ ॥੪੫॥
I am trembling, shaking and feeling a burn in my body (Thharhar Kaa[n]po Jalo[u] Sareer Mai; mental anguish & anxiety has caused his body to feel the shock of his misunderstandings), by killing them no one will be known as supreme (Ein Kae Hatae Na Hoe[i] Pradhhaanaa; what prestige would be gained by killing your own loved ones?)
ਚੌਪਈ ॥ (Chhaupaee):
ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜੀ ਸਭ ਪੂਜਾ ਜੋਗਾ ॥
Oh Sri Krishna Ji (Hae Prabh Jee; Prabhu means the one who is away from the elements/creation: Prabhu is referring to Nirgun Paramaatmaa) You are worth all the Worship (Sabh Poojaa Joga; Sri Krishna Ji took away such bad thoughts by showing him what is right)
ਤਿਨਕੋ ਮਾਰੇ ਹੋਇ ਵਿਜੋਗਾ ॥
If I kill them (Tinko Maarae) I will face separation (Hoe[i] Vijogaa; he's going to miss them and regret his actions if he kills those who he loves)
ਸਾਜਨ ਹਤੇ ਕਲਿਆਣ ਨ ਲਹੇ ॥
Murdering my beloved friends and family (Saajan Hatae) will not give me any Kalyaan (Kaliaan Na Lahae; Kalyaan cannot be given justice to explain it in a few words)
ਮਿਤ੍ਰੋ ਬੈਰ ਮਤ ਅਪਨੀ ਦਹੇ ॥ ੪੬ ॥
Turning my friends into my enemies (Mitro Bair) I should burn such thoughts of mine (Mat Apnee Dahae; this mindset should be removed from my mind)
ਭੂਮ ਕਾ ਰਾਜ ਤੁਛ ਹੈ ਮਾਧੋ ॥
Conquering the earth is a petty feat (Bhoom Kaa Raaj Tuchh Hai), Oh Sri Krishna Ji (Maadhho; Maadhhav means the Husband of Maya... Maya is dependent on Akaal Purakh... like a shadow is dependent on casting objective)
ਤ੍ਰਿਲੋਕ ਕਾ ਰਾਜ ਜੇ ਮੈ ਸਾਧੋ ॥
[and even] if I gain the reign of the Heavens, the Earth and the Nether Realms (Trilok Ka Raaj Jae Mai Saadhho)
ਤੌ ਭੀ ਸਾਜਨ ਕੋ ਨਹੀ ਮਾਰੋਂ ॥
...then even still I won’t be able to kill my near and dear ones (Tau Bhee Saajan Ko Nahee Maaro[n].
ਰਾਜ ਬਿਸਾਰੋ ਭੀਖ ਬੀਚਾਰੋ ॥੪੭॥
Forget about ruling (Raaj Bisaaro) and instead let’s speak about begging (Bheekh Beechaaro; Arjun is saying that he would rather become a beggar than have to kill friends and family).
ਅਰੁ ਜੋ ਰਾਜ ਕੁਟੰਬ ਕੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਕੀਜੈ ॥
Also, the Rule which is done because of family... (Ar[u] Jo Raaj Kuta[m]b Kae Kaaran Keejai; monarchy is done by keeping a family in throne, heirs are all from family)
ਤਿਨ ਕੋ ਮਾਰ ਰਾਜ ਕਿਆ ਲੀਜੈ ॥
..To kill them, what type of rule will I gain? (Tin Ko Maar Raaj Kiaa Leejai; Arjun is saying it is fundamentally wrong in monarchy to kill family)
ਇਹ ਅਪਸਗਨ ਮਨ ਮਾਹਿ ਬਿਚਾਰੋ ॥
[Whoever] contemplates this (Eih... Beechaaro) inauspicious thing (Apsagan; asking for bad things to happen to you) within their mind (Man Maah[i])
ਯਿਹੀ ਬਿਚਾਰੋ ਮਨ ਕੋ ਜਾਰੋ ॥੪੮॥
... they should rather think about the idea of burning their mind (Yihee Bichaaro Man Ko Jaaro; meaning they should stop thinking of such things or their mind is useless thinking about such)
–
As the Khalsa, we should have this type of righteous discernment as well as reflection. As warriors, we should have the capability to assess our battles (both internal and political). We should constantly ask ourselves: are my actions based on clear thought or muddied ego? This is something to consider even before war... even our small day-to-day actions should be reflected on. We may not realize how blindly we act. I blindly write this translation, please forgive all the errors and mistakes. Please guide me with your corrections. Stay tuned for future posts as we go through Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj's Bhagavad Gita Steek.
~Aaeenaa
