As a pure devotee of the Lord, Arjuna had no desire to fight with his cousins, other relatives and friends, but he was forced onto the battlefield by the enviousness of Duryodhana, who was never agreeable to any peaceful negotiation. Therefore, he was very anxious to see who are the leading Generals on the battlefield. Although there was no question of peaceful negotiation on the battlefield, he wanted to see them again, and to see how much they were determined to proceed with this world war.

During the childhood of the Pandavas and Kauravas there was always competition as a result Arjuna's skills as an expert archer became very well known. Duryodhana also became famous as a  witty, quick master of the Mace. Even so, the teachers and gurus of theses children favored Arjuna,  knowing him to be of good temperament. As a duty, however painful,  the elders remained loyal to the royal kingdom that was taken unjustly from the Pandavas prior to the Mahabharat war.

Krsna and Arjuna appeard like friends on the same level, but one of them voluntarily became a student of the other. Krsna was smiling because a friend had chosen to become a disciple. As Lord of all, He is always in the superior position as the master of everyone, and yet the Lord agrees to be a friend, a son, or a lover for a devotee who wants Him in such a role. But when He was accepted as the spiritual master, He at once assumed the role and talked with the disciple like the master—with gravity, as it is required. It appears that the talk between the master and the disciple was openly exchanged in the presence of both armies so all benefitted. The talks of Bhagavad-gita are not for any particular person, society, or community, but they are for all, friends or enemies are equally entitled to hear them.