Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 2 Sankhya Yogah

Sankhya Yogah - Arjuna questions how he can aim his arrows at Bhishma and Drona, his revered elders and teachers, who are deserving of respect and not hostility.

अर्जुन उवाच कथं भीष्ममहं सङ्ख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन |
इषुभि: प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन ||4||

Arjuna questions how he can aim his arrows at Bhishma and Drona, his revered elders and teachers, who are deserving of respect and not hostility.

Madhusudana: Krishna, slayer of Madhu.
Arjuna: Pandava prince.
Pujarha: Deserving of worship.

Arjuna expresses his reluctance to harm revered elders like Bhishma and Drona, emphasizing his emotional struggle. His dilemma goes beyond the battlefield, touching on the ethical conflict between his respect for family and his role as a warrior. This highlights the depth of Arjuna’s reverence and the complexity of his predicament.

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Sankhya Yogah - Arjuna suggests that it would be better to live by begging than to kill these great elders for material gains. The pleasure from such blood-stained wealth would be tainted.

गुरूनहत्वा हि महानुभावान् श्रेयो भोक्तुं भैक्ष्यमपीह लोके |
हत्वार्थकामांस्तु गुरूनिहैव भुञ्जीय भोगान् रुधिरप्रदिग्धान् ||5||

Arjuna suggests that it would be better to live by begging than to kill these great elders for material gains. The pleasure from such blood-stained wealth would be tainted.

Mahanubhavan: Great souls.
Bhikshya: Living by begging.
Rudhira: Blood, often signifies violence.

Arjuna contemplates the futility of war and expresses a preference for a life of penance over the bloodshed of revered elders. He perceives material gains from such violence as tainted, indicating his struggle with the righteousness of his actions. This statement reveals Arjuna’s intense moral conflict and desire to avoid sinful consequences.

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Sankhya Yogah - Arjuna admits his confusion, unsure if it is better to win or lose. He cannot envision living after killing the sons of Dhritarashtra, who are positioned on the battlefield.

न चैतद्विद्म: कतरन्नो गरीयो यद्वा जयेम यदि वा नो जयेयु: |
यानेव हत्वा न जिजीविषाम स्तेऽवस्थिता: प्रमुखे धार्तराष्ट्रा: ||6||

Arjuna admits his confusion, unsure if it is better to win or lose. He cannot envision living after killing the sons of Dhritarashtra, who are positioned on the battlefield.

Jijivisa: Desire to live.
Dhartarastrah: Sons of Dhritarashtra.
Gariyo: Heavier or more painful.

Arjuna admits his inability to decide what is better: winning the battle or being defeated. He questions whether it is right to destroy his kin, even if they are on the wrong side. His admission of confusion and helplessness deepens his despair, showcasing the intensity of his inner turmoil and his need for Krishna’s guidance.

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Sankhya Yogah - Overwhelmed by his sense of duty and confusion, Arjuna declares his inability to determine what is right. He surrenders himself to Krishna, seeking guidance as a disciple.

कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभाव: पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेता: |
यच्छ्रेय: स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ||7||

Overwhelmed by his sense of duty and confusion, Arjuna declares his inability to determine what is right. He surrenders himself to Krishna, seeking guidance as a disciple.

Dharma-sammudha-cetah: Confused about duty.
Karpanya: Miserly behavior.
Prapannam: Surrendered to guidance.

Recognizing his indecision and moral confusion, Arjuna surrenders to Krishna as a disciple, seeking guidance and instruction. This moment of surrender is crucial as it signifies Arjuna’s willingness to accept Krishna’s wisdom. It sets the stage for Krishna’s teachings, which will address not just his immediate dilemma but the broader aspects of life and duty.

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Sankhya Yogah - Arjuna expresses his inability to see a way out of the sorrow that is paralyzing him, even if he were to gain unparalleled power and prosperity in the world.

न हि प्रपश्यामि ममापनुद्याद् यच्छोकमुच्छोषणमिन्द्रियाणाम् |
अवाप्य भूमावसपत्नमृद्धं राज्यं सुराणामपि चाधिपत्यम् ||8||

Arjuna expresses his inability to see a way out of the sorrow that is paralyzing him, even if he were to gain unparalleled power and prosperity in the world.

Shokam: Sorrow or grief.
Indriya: Senses, referring to bodily faculties.
Bhuma: Earthly wealth or abundance.

Arjuna confesses that he sees no remedy for his sorrow, even if he were to attain a prosperous and unrivaled kingdom. His despair transcends material aspirations, reflecting a deeper existential crisis. This shloka emphasizes the extent of Arjuna’s distress and his need for a spiritual solution that goes beyond the material realm.

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Sankhya Yogah - Sanjaya describes how, after speaking thus to Krishna, Arjuna, the conqueror of sleep, declares his unwillingness to fight and falls silent.

सञ्जय उवाच एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशं गुडाकेश: परन्तप |
न योत्स्य इति गोविन्दमुक्त्वा तूष्णीं बभूव ह ||9||

Sanjaya describes how, after speaking thus to Krishna, Arjuna, the conqueror of sleep, declares his unwillingness to fight and falls silent.

Gudakesa: Arjuna, conqueror of sleep.
Govinda: Krishna, one who gives joy.
Parantapa: Arjuna, scorcher of foes.

Sanjaya describes Arjuna’s complete breakdown and silence after expressing his inability to fight. His surrender to Krishna reflects his acceptance of the situation’s gravity and his trust in Krishna’s wisdom. This paves the way for Krishna to begin his teachings, as Arjuna has now become a willing recipient of spiritual guidance.

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Sankhya Yogah - Krishna, smiling as if amused, speaks to Arjuna, who is standing between the two armies and caught in deep despair, highlighting the gravity of his emotions.

तमुवाच हृषीकेश: प्रहसन्निव भारत |
सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये विषीदन्तमिदं वच: ||10||

Krishna, smiling as if amused, speaks to Arjuna, who is standing between the two armies and caught in deep despair, highlighting the gravity of his emotions.

Hrisikesa: Krishna, master of senses.
Vishidantam: Despairing or sorrowful.
Bharata: Descendant of King Bharata.

Krishna, smiling amidst the intensity of Arjuna’s emotions, suggests his readiness to impart wisdom with a sense of compassion and assurance. His smile signifies both his empathy and his understanding of Arjuna’s plight, setting a calm and composed tone before he starts revealing profound spiritual truths to alleviate Arjuna’s inner turmoil.

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