English Commentary of Chapter 1 without Verses 
War of Mahabharta is unparalleled on its scale and importance in the history of India. It also became the backdrop of the conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. One's intelligence, reasoning, judgement and understanding are tested only when life brings up a situation where he has to choose the right path, out of the available options, considering time, place and circumstances. No human faces this kind of extreme confusion and dilemma, as faced by Arjuna in this drama of war. Lord Krishna himself guides Arjuna to come out of this dilemma and in this process, he bestows upon the whole human race the art of living and objective of life.

Sanjay (who has the power to see the things remotely) becomes a medium to describe the whole sequence of events to blind Dhritrashtra. The whole Bhagvad-Gita has come to us as a conversation between Sanjay and Dhritrashtra. On being questioned by Dhritarashtra, Sanjaya said that before the start of the war, Duryodhana went to Guru Drona, to inform him about the heroic warriors in the army of Pandavas. He specifically names Dhrishtadyumna, Bheema, Arjuna, Yuyudhaan, Virata, Drupada, Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, Kashiraja, Kuntibhoja-Purujit, Shaibya, Yudhamanyu, Uttamauja, Abhimanyu and Draupadi's five sons. After this he informs about the key warriors on his side. He specifically names Dronacharya, grandfather Bhishma, Karna, Kripacharya, Ashwatthama, Vikarna and Bhurishrava. He knows that grandfather Bhishma is a valuable resource on his side to win over the pandavas, so he wants all his key men to stand at all strategic points in all directions for the protection of Bhishma.

After this, majestic grandfather Bhishma blew his conch, roaring like a lion.Then conch shells, drums, bugles, trumpets, bells and other different musical instruments rang. It was a loud tumultuous sound altogether.Lord Krishna blew conch shell named Panchjanya, Arjuna blew Devdutta and Bheema blew the conch shell named Paundra, Yudhishtira blew Anantvijaya, Nakul blew Sughosha and Sahdeva blew the conchshell named Manipushpak. Kashiraj, Shikhandi, Dhrishtadhyumana, Virata-raj, Satayki, Drupada, Sons of Draupadi and Abhimanyu also blew their conch shells.Combined volume of conch shells created vibrations in the sky and on the earth, it shattered the hearts of the sons of Dhritarashtra.

During all this, the mind of Arjuna was in turmoil and he requested Lord Krishna to draw the chariot in between the two armies. He wanted to see the the people on the other side who are desirous to fight. As per the request of Arjuna, Lord Krishna drew the chariot between both the armies. Every word said by Lord Krishna in this conversation is very important. Lord Krishna said that O Arjuna, See all these people assembled to support Kaurava's policy. It gives a clear indication that he identifies the people on the other side as those who are agreeing with the policy of Duryodhna which is a policy of evil. But Arjuna saw the same people as his fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends, fathers-in-law and well-wishers and became overwhelmed with compassion and grief.

Arjuna said that seeing his friends and relatives present before him in such a fighting spirit, his mind is confused, limbs are quivering, mouth is drying up, skin is burning, body is trembling and hair are standing on ends, bow Gandiva is slipping from his hand, and he is not able to stand on his own. Arjuna is not behaving to his stature. Arjuna said- O Lord Krishna, I do not desire victory, kingdom and happiness which comes on the pretext of killing these kinsmen. I don't want to kill them even if though they might kill me.I will not kill them, even if someone offers me kingdom of three worlds, let alone a piece of earth.

Arjuna further said that even if these people, overtaken by corrupt and greedy mind do not see any fault in killing their own friends and destroying their clan. But, as we can see the repercussions of destroying a clan, so we should think about preventing this sinful happening. By destruction of a clan, all family traditions are also vanquished. It facilitates the spreading of incest and irreligion. When such immorality increase, the women of the family become polluted and wicked which results in mixed progeny. Mixed progeny causes hellish life both for the family and clan-killers. The ancestors of such families fall down, because the traditions for offering them food and water are vanished.

Misdeeds of mixed progeny and clan-killers destroy all the traditions of that clan, family and lineage. O Krishna, I have heard that those who are bereft of family traditions, always dwell in hell. I am amazed that we are prepared to commit great sin of killing our own kinsmen, driven by the desire to enjoy royal kingdom.Better for me if the armed Kauravas, were to kill me unarmed and unresisting on the battlefield. Sanjay Said, Arjuna, having thus spoken, cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief.