sañjaya uvācha
evam uktvārjunaḥ saṅkhye rathopastha upāviśhat
visṛijya sa-śharaṁ chāpaṁ śhoka-saṁvigna-mānasaḥ
sañjayaḥ uvācha — Sanjay said;
evam uktvā — speaking thus;
arjunaḥ — Arjun;
saṅkhye — in the battlefield;
ratha upasthe — on the chariot;
upāviśhat — sat;
visṛijya — casting aside;
sa-śharam — along with arrows;
chāpam — the bow;
śhoka — with grief;
saṁvigna — distressed;
mānasaḥ — mind
In this verse, Sanjaya describes how Arjuna, a great warrior, is deeply affected by the situation he finds himself in on the battlefield. After looking at the armies and realizing who he is about to fight—his own family, friends, and teachers—Arjuna feels a heavy wave of sadness wash over him. He is not just feeling sad; he is in turmoil and confusion about the war that is about to start.
Arjuna drops his bow and arrows, which are symbols of his role as a fighter. This act signifies that he no longer feels ready to fight; he is overcome by his emotions and the weight of his responsibilities. Despite being courageous and skilled, he is finding it hard to act because his heart is filled with compassion and love for those he might have to confront.
What makes this moment important is that Arjuna is known for his bravery, but here he shows his human side—his emotional struggle is very real. He realizes that fighting means causing pain and loss to people he cares about, and this conflicts with what he believes to be right. This moment reflects a common struggle many people face when their duties clash with their values and feelings.
Arjuna’s reaction is not a sign of weakness; instead, it reveals his depth of character. He understands that life is valuable, and he cannot simply see others as enemies without considering their lives and relationships. Because of this, he feels stuck and confused, unable to make the decision to fight.
This moment also sets the stage for the teachings that follow in the Bhagavad Gita. Arjuna’s sadness is a crucial part of his journey. It shows that to gain true knowledge and understanding, one must sometimes confront their emotions and moral dilemmas. It’s through this struggle that Arjuna prepares himself to accept the wisdom that Krishna will provide him next.
In summary, this verse captures a turning point where Arjuna's kindness and emotional conflict become the basis for his spiritual growth. It tells us that caring for others and questioning difficult situations are essential steps in seeking deeper truths in life. Arjuna’s breakdown is actually a sign of his humanity, showing that feeling deeply about connections and responsibilities can lead to greater self-discovery and learning. This is a reminder that even strong individuals can have moments of doubt, and it is important to acknowledge and work through those feelings.