This shloka begins a major turning point in the first chapter.

Up to the previous shloka, the first phase is complete. The Kauravas have sounded their conches and instruments. The Pāṇḍavas have responded with their conches. The Pāṇḍava sound has resounded through sky and earth and pierced the hearts of the Kauravas. Both armies have indicated readiness.

Now the actual battle must begin. The shooting of arrows must start. The verse says śastrasampāte pravṛtte — when the discharge of weapons was about to commence. The time is ideal for action. Everything is ready.

At that exact moment comes the word atha — “then.” This word is important. It marks a change. In Sanskrit, atha often indicates a change of topic, a change of context, or a new movement. Here it announces the turning point of the chapter. The external preparation for war is complete; the next movement is about to begin.

Arjuna is called kapidhvajaḥ, the one whose banner has the monkey emblem. The monkey on Arjuna’s flag is Hanumān. This identifies Arjuna as a heroic warrior standing in a great chariot with Hanumān’s presence on his banner.

Arjuna sees dhārtarāṣṭrān vyavasthitān — the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra arrayed in battle. The word dhārtarāṣṭrān is precise. Strictly speaking, the word “Kaurava” can apply to both the Pāṇḍavas and the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, because both belong to the Kuru lineage. By convention, “Kaurava” usually refers to Duryodhana’s side, but the more exact expression is dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ, the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. Vyāsa uses that precise expression here.

Arjuna raises his bow: dhanur udyamya. At this moment, he is fully in the role of a warrior. The armies are arranged, the weapons are about to be discharged, and Arjuna has lifted his bow. He has trained his whole life for this kind of battlefield moment.

This shloka itself does not yet describe Arjuna’s sorrow or confusion. It shows him ready, with bow raised, seeing the warriors before him. The sentence will continue into the next shloka, where he will speak. There we will begin to see more clearly what is arising in his mind.

Thus 1.20 is a transition point. The external battlefield is fully ready. Arjuna, the Pāṇḍava with Hanumān on his banner, sees the arrayed Dhārtarāṣṭras and raises his bow as the discharge of weapons is about to begin.