Bhagavad Gita · Arjuna Vishada YogaChapter 1, Shloka 24 (1.24)

Two names face to face — Hṛṣīkeśa and Guḍākeśa. In a single shloka Krishna is called "Hrishikesha" (lord of the senses) and Arjuna "Gudakesha" (lord of sleep). Both names contain "isha" (lord). In Sanjaya's choice of words this is a lovely balance — Krishna the lord of the senses, Arjuna the conqueror of sleep (sloth, tamas). For Arjuna, "Gudakesha" is a compliment: he is alert, free of sloth. But even one who has conquered sleep will, in the next few shlokas, be defeated by moha (delusion). The Gita will go on to show that physical alertness and spiritual awakening are different things. (This last point is our interpretation.)

"Bhārata" — addressing Dhritarashtra. Madhusudana Sarasvati reads Sanjaya's intention here. Dhritarashtra hoped that Krishna, relying on the dharma of non-violence, might stop Arjuna from fighting. To break that hope, Sanjaya reports that Krishna did nothing of the kind — he placed the chariot in the middle. And the sense of the address "Bharata": "remembering the honour of the Bharata line, give up your hostility towards your own kin." This is a lovely reading by the commentator.

Krishna's conduct. Madhusudana says: the Lord neither became angry that "my own devotee is putting me to work as a charioteer", nor did he stop Arjuna from fighting. He simply did what he was asked. He fulfilled the dharma of a charioteer — quietly, with complete dedication.

"Rathottamam" — the excellent chariot. Madhusudana: the divine chariot given by Agni, with the Lord himself as its charioteer — hence the very best.