Dhritarashtra is a blind king. He asks his advisor Sanjaya for news from a nearby battlefield where his sons, the Kauravas, were set to do battle with their cousins, the Pandavas. The Kauravas and Pandavas both claim the kingdom, but only the victors will be able to rule over it. Sanjaya has been given the gift of clairvoyance and can tell Dhritarashtra everything that took place on the battlefield. The battle has already occurred, but Sanjaya describes events as though they are happening right at this moment.

Sanjaya describes the oldest of the Kauravas, Duryodhana, who is worried that his army is smaller in number. There are many skilled warriors on each side. The Kauravas army is led by Bhishma, who is the great uncle to both the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The Pandavas army is led by Bhima. The Kauravas army sound their horns to rally support, but the deafening response from the Pandavas forces reminds them of the disparity in numbers.

Arjuna is one of the five Pandavas. He has chosen the deity Krishna to be his charioteer and advisor during the battle. Arjuna asks Krishna to halt their chariot in the space between the two opposing armies.