Bhagavad-gītā 1.20 – Study Guide

1. Purport Metrics & Overview

Purport Metrics	Details
No. of times cited by Śrīla Prabhupāda	2
Total No. of Words in Purport	179
No. of Paragraphs in Purport	1
Purport Paragraph Title	Presence of Krishna on Pāṇḍavas’ Side Aligns Good Omens to Predict Victory

High-Level Flow:

The battle is now about to begin, and Arjuna prepares to fight.
Arjuna’s chariot bears the emblem of Hanumān, a powerful symbol of victory.
Hanumān assisted Lord Rāma in His battle against Rāvaṇa, and now Hanumān is present again with Krishna, who is Rāma Himself.
This verse foreshadows Arjuna’s assured victory due to Krishna’s divine presence.
However, before fighting, Arjuna addresses Krishna, initiating the upcoming conversation that forms the essence of the Bhagavad-gītā.

2. Verse & Translation

Sanskrit:
atha vyavasthitān dṛṣṭvā
dhārtarāṣṭrān kapi-dhvajaḥ
pravṛtte śastra-sampāte
dhanur udyamya pāṇḍavaḥ
hṛṣīkeśaṁ tadā vākyam
idam āha mahī-pate

Translation:
“O King, at that time Arjuna, the son of Pāṇḍu, who was seated in his chariot, his flag marked with Hanumān, took up his bow and prepared to shoot his arrows, looking at the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. O King, Arjuna then spoke to Hṛṣīkeśa [Kṛṣṇa] these words.”

3. Connection with Previous Verse

Verse 1.19 described how the Pāṇḍavas’ conchshells shattered the hearts of the Kauravas.
Verse 1.20 now shifts the focus to Arjuna, who takes up his bow, signaling that battle is about to begin.
Key Link:

While the Kauravas are disturbed, Arjuna stands firm and prepared for action.
However, before launching his arrows, he first turns to Krishna, marking the beginning of their divine conversation.

4. Sambandha, Abhidheya, or Prayojana?

Category: Sambandha-tattva (Understanding our relationship with Krishna and the material world)

Sambandha-tattva defines the nature of jīva, īśvara, prakṛti, kāla, and karma.
This verse highlights Krishna’s omnipresence and role as the guiding force in Arjuna’s life.
The presence of Hanumān and Krishna symbolizes divine assurance and spiritual protection.

✅ This verse is Sambandha-tattva because it highlights:

Krishna as the ultimate protector and guide of His devotee.
The divine assurance that wherever Krishna is, victory and righteousness will prevail.
Arjuna’s dependence on Krishna, which will soon manifest as his deep existential crisis in upcoming verses.

5. Analysis of Key Terms

Kapi-dhvaja (One Whose Flag Bears Hanumān)

Hanumān, the eternal servitor of Lord Rāma, represents strength, devotion, and victory.
His presence on Arjuna’s chariot foreshadows the triumph of dharma.

Hṛṣīkeśa (Krishna as the Master of the Senses)

Krishna is not just Arjuna’s charioteer but the controller of all senses, directing Arjuna both externally and internally.

Dhanur Udyamya (Arjuna Takes Up His Bow)

This phrase symbolizes Arjuna’s initial readiness to fight, before his hesitation begins in the next verses.

6. Connection to the Five Topics of Bhagavad-gītā

Topic	Connection in Verse 1.20
Īśvara (Supreme Lord)	Krishna is Hṛṣīkeśa, guiding Arjuna’s actions.
Jīva (Living entity)	Arjuna represents the jīva, who seeks Krishna’s guidance at a crucial moment.
Prakṛti (Material nature)	The battlefield, weapons, and warriors are external material energy, but divine intervention is at play.
Kāla (Time)	Kāla (time) is now bringing the inevitable war, leading to the Kauravas’ destruction.
Karma (Actions & Results)	Arjuna’s past karma has placed him in this moment, about to play his role in Krishna’s divine plan.

7. References from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Purport

1. Key Points from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Purport:

The presence of Hanumān is a clear sign of victory, as he assisted Lord Rāma in battle.
Krishna is Rāma Himself, and wherever Rāma is present, Hanumān and Sītā (Lakṣmī) are also present.
Arjuna was in the most auspicious conditions—he had Krishna’s guidance, Hanumān’s protection, and the divine assurance of victory.
Thus, there was no reason for Arjuna to fear, yet he soon exhibits doubt, leading to Krishna’s instructions in the Bhagavad-gītā.

8. Insights from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Lecture (July 17, 1973, London)

Krishna’s presence itself is an indication of ultimate success, both materially and spiritually.
Hanumān’s presence signifies that those who take shelter of the Lord’s devotees are always victorious.
Arjuna’s turning to Krishna at this moment is symbolic of all jīvas—before taking any action, one should first seek Krishna’s guidance.
Although Arjuna is materially prepared, his inner conflict is about to unfold, demonstrating that external arrangements alone are insufficient—spiritual clarity is required.

9. Keywords for Bhagavad-gītā 1.20

📌 From Translation: Arjuna, Bow, Hanumān, Flag, Krishna, Hṛṣīkeśa, Battlefield
📌 From Purport: Victory, Divine Protection, Rama-Hanumān, Auspiciousness, Krishna’s Guidance
📌 From Lecture: Devotional Strength, Shelter in Krishna, Spiritual vs. Material Readiness

10. Practical Lessons

Before Taking Action, Seek Krishna’s Guidance

Arjuna, before fighting, turns to Krishna—this is the perfect example of surrender.

Krishna’s Presence Ensures Victory

Material arrangements may seem strong, but ultimate success depends on Krishna’s sanction.

The Company of Devotees Guarantees Spiritual Strength

Just as Hanumān’s presence gives Arjuna confidence, associating with devotees empowers us.

11. Preaching Relevance & Application

Preaching Topic	How This Verse is Relevant
Importance of Seeking Krishna’s Guidance	Before acting, we should first turn to Krishna, just as Arjuna did.
Victory Comes from Krishna’s Shelter	Hanumān’s presence reminds us that taking shelter of the Lord guarantees success.
External vs. Internal Readiness	Arjuna is externally ready but soon faces an internal crisis, showing that spiritual clarity is more important than material preparation.

12. Conclusion

Bhagavad-gītā 1.20 marks a pivotal moment—Arjuna is physically ready for battle but turns to Krishna for guidance, setting the stage for the divine discourse of the Gītā. The presence of Krishna and Hanumān symbolizes divine assurance, yet Arjuna’s soon-to-come hesitation reveals the deeper struggle within every jīva. This verse teaches that true victory comes from Krishna’s shelter, not just external strength.