Chapter 1 - The Bhagavad-gita

Thus both the armies stood ready for combat, and they faced each other like two gigantic oceans. The whole earth had concentrated her warriors on this sacred Kurukshetra field, so huge was the army of both parties. Only women and children were left in their homes. The Kurus, the Pandavas and the Somakas made certain rules of warfare before the battle. Persons who were equal should fight against each other. And if having fought fairly, the combatants withdraw, there should be no fear of another attack. A chariot fighter should fight with a chariot fighter, and one riding on an elephant should fight with another riding on an elephant. One riding on a horse should fight with an enemy riding on a horse, and infantry soldiers should fight with infantry soldiers. No warrior should strike another who is not prepared or panic stricken. One who was engaged with another, or one seeking shelter, or one retreating, one whose weapon was rendered unfit, or one who had no armor was never to be attacked. Those who carried drums and those who blew conches, should never be assaulted.

Upon seeing those vast armies ready for combat, Vyasadeva, the son of Satyavati, went to see his son, Dhritarastra, in Hastinapura. Vyasa then informed him, "O King, the clutches of death have fallen on your sons and the other monarchs in this great battle. They will all perish like flies in a fire. Therefore, do not lament. If you wish to see the battle, I will give you the proper vision."

"O best of the rishis," Dhritarastra replied, "I don't want to see the slaughter of my kinsmen. I will, however, hear about this great battle from another." Vyasa then gave a benediction to Sanjaya that he could envision the whole battlefield. He would have knowledge of everything, manifest or concealed, and happening by day or night. Even the thoughts of the mind would be known to Sanjaya.

"The fame of the Pandavas and the Kauravas," Vyasa prophesied, "shall be known for an eternity. Do not give way to grief, O King, for this slaughter cannot be prevented. It has been predestined. Regarding victory, it is where there is righteousness. They who desire victory do not conquer by means of brutal force as much as by truthfulness, compassion and virtue. As the sage Narada stated, 'Wherever there is Krishna, there will certainly be victory.' Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and if He protects the Pandava army, no one, including all the gods and demons combined, can defeat Him. Even if He does not take up any arms, by His energies, He will cause the annihilation of their forces." After speaking thus, Vyasadeva left the palace of his son.