The Bhagavad-gītā opens with an inquiry from Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the blind king, which reveals his deep-seated anxiety regarding the outcome of the battle. He refers to Kurukṣetra as ‘Dharma-kṣetra’, the place of pilgrimage and righteousness. This designation is significant because, according to the Vedic scriptures, religious rituals performed at Kurukṣetra are highly potent. Dhṛtarāṣṭra feared that the holy influence of the land might favor his virtuous nephews, the Pāṇḍavas, who were the sons of King Pāṇḍu, over his own sons, the Kauravas. Although both parties belonged to the same Kuru dynasty, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s language creates a separation: ‘māmakāḥ’ (my sons) versus ‘pāṇḍavāḥ’ (the sons of Pāṇḍu). This seemingly simple question exposes his partiality and attachment to his own lineage, which is the root cause of the conflict. He anxiously waits to hear from Sañjaya, his secretary, hoping for news that his sons have somehow secured an advantage despite their unrighteous stance.