Dharma: The first verse of the Bhagavad Gita
Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action
Significance of the First Verse
The Bhagavad Gita opens with the word Dharmakshetra (Field of Dharma). This is highly significant for several reasons:
- Setting the Intent: By placing Dharma first, Veda Vyasa signals that the entire conflict is not just a political war, but a spiritual struggle to uphold righteousness.
- Inner Battle: The "Sacred Plain" represents the human heart and mind, where the battle between higher virtues and lower impulses takes place daily.
- Sanatana Dharma: It connects the reader to the eternal principles that govern the universe, suggesting that the wisdom to follow is the "King of Sciences" and the "King of Secrets."
Why is the word Dharma quoted in the first verse of the Bhagavad Gita?
It is a protective word. By using it first, Veda Vyasa gives a beneficial opening to his great work.
“Dhritarashtra said: Having assembled on the sacred plain of Kurukshetra—the land of Dharma—with the desire to engage in battle, what did my sons and the Pandavas do? O Sanjaya!” Bhagavad Gita 1.1 Arjuna’s Despondency
“धृतराष्ट्र उवाच |
धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः |
मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ||1||”. The Yoga of Arjuna’s Despondency (Arjuna Vishada Yoga).
dhṛitarāśhtra uvācha
dharma-kṣhetre kuru-kṣhetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ
māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāśhchaiva kimakurvata sañjaya.
The Lord is the embodiment of Dharma.
Reverence for Dharma, even through the utterance of its name, is regarded as worship of the Lord Himself. The goal of the Bhagavad Gita and its central teachings are rooted in the concept of Dharma. From time to time, the Lord (God, the Great Soul, Brahman, Sat-Chit-Ananda, the Higher Intelligence, or whatever you want to call it) incarnates to uphold and establish Dharma.
Source: the Bhagavad Gita Makaranadam by , Translated into Spanish by
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does the first verse mention Kurukshetra?
Kurukshetra was a real geographical location, but in the Gita, it is called Dharmakshetra to emphasize that the ground itself was sanctified by righteous action and the presence of the Lord.
Who is Dhritarashtra?
He is the blind king of the Kauravas. His physical blindness often symbolizes spiritual ignorance and attachment, which is why he asks about the "battle" despite its inevitable outcome.
What is the "Yoga of Arjuna’s Despondency"?
It is the first chapter of the Gita. It shows that spiritual growth often begins with a crisis of identity or a "dark night of the soul," leading one to seek higher knowledge.
How does Swami Vivekananda view Dharma?
Vivekananda emphasized that "if one protects Dharma, Dharma protects them." He viewed the Gita as a call to strength and selfless action.
Conclusion
Starting the Bhagavad Gita with the word Dharma is like lighting a lamp before entering a room. It illuminates the entire 700-verse dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna as a guide for living truthfully.
As Pedro Nonell teaches, this "protective word" serves as a reminder that regardless of our external battles, our primary duty is to align our lives with the eternal principles of justice and self-knowledge.
Whether you are a student of Yoga or a seeker of truth, the first verse invites you to turn your life into a Dharmakshetra—a field where righteousness always prevails.
Dharma: primer verso del Bhagavad Gita 
Darma: primeiro verse do Bhagavad-Gita.
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