Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 1 Arjuna Visada Yogah

वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते |
गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चै व परिदह्यते ||29||

My body shivers, and my hair stands on end. The Gandiva (my bow) slips from my hand, and my skin burns all over.

Gandiva: Arjuna’s celestial bow.
Tvak: Skin.
Paridahyate: Burning sensation.

Arjuna continues to describe his physical symptoms, highlighting the extent of his distress. His inability to hold his bow, a symbol of his warrior duty, reflects his internal turmoil. The burning sensation and loss of control indicate his intense psychological and emotional suffering as he grapples with the decision to fight.

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न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मन: |
निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव ||30||

I am unable to stand any longer, and my mind seems to be reeling. I foresee only evil, O Krishna.

Bhramati: Reeling or spinning.
Viparitan: Inauspicious or evil omens.

Arjuna’s emotional breakdown deepens as he confesses that he cannot stand firm due to his mental and physical state. His mind is clouded, and he perceives only negative outcomes, reflecting his inner turmoil and the overwhelming moral dilemma he faces about the consequences of war.

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न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे |
न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च ||31||

I do not see how any good can come from killing my own relatives in this battle. I do not desire victory, kingdom, or pleasures.

Shreyah: Good or beneficial.
Sukhan: Pleasures or comforts.

Arjuna openly questions the purpose of the war. He expresses that no victory, kingdom, or pleasure can justify the killing of his kin. This statement reveals his deep sense of disillusionment, as he begins to reject the material gains that the war is supposed to bring, considering them hollow without family.

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Arjuna Visada Yogah - O Govinda, what is the use of a kingdom, or pleasures, or even life itself, when those for whom we desire these things stand here ready to fight?

किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा |
येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगा: सुखानि च ||32||

O Govinda, what is the use of a kingdom, or pleasures, or even life itself, when those for whom we desire these things stand here ready to fight?

Govinda: A name for Krishna, meaning protector of cows.
Bhogah: Pleasures or enjoyments.

Arjuna asks Krishna what good can come from material success when the very people for whom these gains are sought are on the battlefield, prepared to fight. He is grappling with the emotional weight of potentially losing loved ones and questions the value of life and luxury in such a context.

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Arjuna Visada Yogah - Teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and many other relatives are standing ready to give up their lives and wealth in this battle.

त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च |
आचार्या: पितर: पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहा: ||33||

Teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and many other relatives are standing ready to give up their lives and wealth in this battle.

Putra: Son.
Pitamaha: Grandfather.
Mitra: Relative or friend.

Arjuna continues to list the various family members who are about to engage in battle. He emphasizes the personal relationships he has with those on the opposing side, stressing the gravity of the situation. The emotional conflict intensifies as he contemplates the tragic loss of life that could result from the war.

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Arjuna Visada Yogah - I do not wish to kill them, even if they attack me, O Madhusudana, even for the sovereignty of the three worlds, let alone this earth.

मातुला: श्वशुरा: पौत्रा: श्याला: सम्बन्धिनस्तथा |
एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन ||34||

I do not wish to kill them, even if they attack me, O Madhusudana, even for the sovereignty of the three worlds, let alone this earth.

Madhusudana: A name for Krishna, slayer of the demon Madhu.
Trailokya: The three worlds.

Arjuna expresses his unwillingness to kill his relatives, even if they attack him first. He values the bonds of kinship over material gain, rejecting the idea of ruling over not only the earth but even the three worlds. This underscores his deep inner conflict between duty and compassion.

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Arjuna Visada Yogah - What pleasure would there be for us, O Janardana, after killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? Sin alone would befall us by killing such aggressors.

अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतो: किं नु महीकृते |
निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्न: का प्रीति: स्याज्जनार्दन ||35||

What pleasure would there be for us, O Janardana, after killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? Sin alone would befall us by killing such aggressors.

Janardana: A name for Krishna, protector of people.
Papam: Sin or wrongdoing.

Arjuna believes that killing his enemies, even though they are the sons of Dhritarashtra, would only bring sin upon him. He questions the righteousness of such an act, seeing no real joy or fulfillment in victory gained through the deaths of his relatives. His dilemma reflects the larger ethical question of war and duty.

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