sīdanti mama gātrāṇi mukhaṁ cha pariśhuṣhyati
vepathuśh cha śharīre me roma-harṣhaśh cha jāyate
sīdanti — quivering;
mama — my;
gātrāṇi — limbs;
mukham — mouth;
cha — and;
pariśhuṣhyati — is drying up
vepathuḥ — shuddering;
cha — and;
śharīre — on the body;
me — my;
roma-harṣhaḥ — standing of bodily hair on end;
cha — also;
jāyate — is happening;
In this verse, Arjuna is expressing a state of intense fear and anxiety. When he says his body is trembling, it means he is so scared that he can't keep still. This means that when someone feels fear, it can affect them physically, making their hands shake and their body feel weak.
The mention of his hair standing on end is a common reaction people experience when they feel very scared or uneasy. You might have felt this yourself when you were frightened—like when you watch a scary movie and your hair feels like it's on end. This physical response is what Arjuna is feeling; it shows just how frightened he is.
His bow, named Gandiva, which is usually held firmly in his hand, is slipping away. This signifies how overwhelmed he is. A bow is not just a weapon for him; it's also a symbol of his strength and duty. If he can't hold it, it shows that he feels helpless in that moment.
Furthermore, he mentions a burning sensation on his skin, which indicates his inner turmoil. When we get anxious or fearful, we may feel warm or hot because of the stress we are experiencing. This physical reaction shows how deeply his feelings are affecting him.
Overall, Arjuna is in a very vulnerable state where his fear is consuming him. He is not in a peaceful or happy place—he is struggling with his thoughts and emotions, particularly the fear of having to fight against his own relatives and loved ones. This moment reveals how heavy the burden of battle is weighing on him, making him question not just the battle itself, but also the consequences of it and whether he can go forth with it.