The first chapter of the Bhagawad Geeta sets the context of the entire Bhagawad Geeta. It begins with Dhritarashtra (Blind king and father of the Kaurava sons who are also the ones doing injustice) asking his emissary Sanjaya – What did the Pandu Sons do on the battle field of Kurukshetra?
Initial part of the first chapter gives an introduction of the scene of the battle field with both sides (especially the Kaurava side) motivating their troops and blowing their conches. Each side and their mighty warriors are ready to fight
Arjuna, the mighty warrior and son of Pandu on seeing this has doubts about the righteousness of this battle. He starts questioning the reasons for the battle since the warriors on the other side are his brothers & uncles. He tells lord Krishna (his charioteer) that his limbs fail and his mouth is parched, his body quivers and his hair stands on end (verse 29).
1. He tells lord krishna – “These I do not wish to kill, though they kill me, even for the sake of dominion over the three worlds; how much less for the sake of the earth. (verse 35)… We are involved in a great sin, in that we are prepared to kill our kinsmen, from greed for the pleasures of the kingdom (verse 45).
Arjuna has almost given up. He tells lord krishna that “If the sons of Dhritarashtra, weapons-in-hand, slay me in battle, unresisting and unarmed, that would be better for me (verse 46)” Having thus spoken in the midst of the battlefield, Arjuna sits down on the seat of the chariot, casting away his bow and arrow, with a mind distressed with sorrow.
The first chapter of Geeta is about doubts in Arjuna’s mind, panic, dear, and anxiety. These are issues we deal with. The rest of the Geeta is where Lord Krishna upon hearing and watching Arjuna mentally defeated will share with him the wisdom of the vedas and upanishads and resolve the mental conflict in Arjuna’a mind.