Bhagavad Gita · Arjuna Vishada YogaChapter 1, Shloka 20 (1.20)

"Atha" — now. In Sanskrit "atha" often signals the start of a new section. From here the real story of the Gita — Arjuna's story — begins.

Resolve instead of fear. Madhusudana Sarasvati connects 1.19 and 1.20: having shown fear in Dhritarashtra's sons, the opposite is now shown in the Pandavas. The Kauravas, instead of fleeing after their fright, stand firm for battle — and Arjuna, completely fearless, raises the Gandiva for battle.

"Kapidhvaja" — the banner with Hanuman. The banner of Arjuna's chariot bears the emblem of a monkey (kapi). Madhusudana says clearly: the great hero Hanuman had blessed Arjuna by being present as his banner. In a famous story of the Mahabharata, Hanuman promises Bhima that he will be seated on Arjuna's banner. With this epithet Sanjaya hints at Arjuna's invincibility.

He raised the bow — but did not shoot. Arjuna is ready for battle. He has raised his bow. This fact is important: Arjuna's later despair does not begin from cowardice. He has come with full enthusiasm and readiness. His crisis comes when he sees. "Dhanuh udyamya" — having raised the bow — near the end of this shloka, and "visṛjya saśaraṃ cāpam" — putting down the bow with its arrows — at the end of 1.47: the whole chapter is the journey of this bow from being raised to being laid down.

"Pravṛtte śastrasampāte" — a moment before. The war is about to begin. The entire dialogue of the Gita takes place in this moment, on this edge. This pressure of time makes Arjuna's questions all the more intense.