To him, O descendant of Bharata, as he sat despondent between the two armies, Hrishikesha spoke these words, as if smiling.
Explanation
Sanjaya is narrating to King Dhritarashtra, addressing him as a descendant of Bharata. Arjuna has just said he will not fight and fallen silent, so Krishna (Hrishikesha, "Lord of the senses") begins to answer him. The words "as if smiling" (prahasann iva) suggest a gentle, composed manner in the face of Arjuna's grief (viṣāda). This verse only introduces Krishna's teaching, which begins in the next verse.