The entire Bhagavad Gita is a narration of Sanjaya to Dhritarashtra. This chapter and the whole Bhagavad Gita begins with a question of Dhritarashtra. He wanted to hear about his sons and Pandavas who gathered to fight in Kurukshetra.

In reply, Sanjaya with his mystic power of vision, leads Dhritarashtra along the battle field, by his description. In the beginning of this chapter Duryodhana briefs Drona about both the armies. Then, there is a description of the preparations for the battle. In the next few verses, Arjuna wanted to observe the warriors drawn up for battle, and requests Krishna to place his chariot between the arrayed armies. Krishna does the same.

The entire tune of Bhagavad Gita changes with this and the significant part of this chapter starts. Now, we see a different Arjuna. The circumstances make him depressed and confused. When he saw his relatives in the battlefield, he was filled with deep compassion and overcome by attachment to them. He got nervous and said that he did not want to fight, even for the sake of the three worlds. He felt that there can be no happiness when one’s own people are killed. Thus, he was horrified by the consequences of the war. He was supposed to do his duty as prescribed by the scriptures. But because of his confusion Arjuna lost equanimity of his mind. Finally, he laid down his bow and arrows and sat at the back of the chariot.