Until I can observe those who stand here, desirous of fighting, and know with whom I must fight in this undertaking of conflict

Arjuna’s curiosity sounds reasonable — tactical analysis before combat. But the language reveals anxiety. Nirīkṣe (observe, examine) is an intensive verb; yoddhu-kāmān (desirous of fighting) projects belligerent intention onto the enemy that may not be pure aggression.

The compound raṇa-samudyama means “enterprise/undertaking of conflict” (sam-ud-yam = undertake vigorously). The expression sounds abstract, almost academic, distancing Arjuna from actual violence. He is already building conceptual barriers.