Whom must I face

yāvadetānnirikṣe’ahaṃ yoddhukāmānavasthitānkairmayā saha yoddhavyamasmin raṇasamudyame

So that I can see those standing here, eager to fight, and know whom I must face in this battle.

What it means

Arjuna explains his request. He wants to look closely at those who have come to fight. Whom must I contend with, he asks. It sounds like a soldier's question. But underneath is a human one. He is about to find out these are not strangers.

The story

Arjuna grew up with many of the men across the field. He learned archery beside them. He has wrestled, laughed and eaten with them. Asking to see them is the first crack in the armour. Krishna drives on, saying nothing yet.

In your life

Imagine a manager about to let a team member go. Reading their file is easy. Meeting them is not. Before a hard decision about people, see the people. It will change how you act, even if not what you decide.