sañjaya uvācha
evam-uktvā hṛiṣhīkeśhaṁ guḍākeśhaḥ parantapa
na yotsya iti govindam uktvā tūṣhṇīṁ babhūva ha
sañjayaḥ uvācha — Sanjay said;
evam — thus;
uktvā — having spoken;
hṛiṣhīkeśham — to Shree Krishna, the master of the mind and senses;
guḍākeśhaḥ — Arjun, the conquerer of sleep;
parantapaḥ — Arjun, the chastiser of the enemies;
na yotsye — I shall not fight;
iti — thus;
govindam — Krishna, the giver of pleasure to the senses;
uktvā — having addressed;
tūṣhṇīm — silent;
babhūva — became ha
In this part of the story, Sanjaya, who is narrating the events, describes a moment that is quite intense. Here, we see Arjuna, who is known for his bravery and skill in battle, is feeling overwhelmed with emotion. He turns to Krsna, who is his friend and guide, and expresses his decision not to fight in the battle. This might sound surprising because Arjuna is a warrior, but he is deeply troubled by the thought of fighting against his own family and loved ones, who are on the opposing side.
Imagine someone standing at a great crossroads in life. Arjuna loves his family, and the very idea of harming them fills him with sorrow. He feels compassion for them, and that compassion clouds his judgment. He feels so heavy-hearted that he believes it's better to give up rather than to fight. When he says "I shall not fight," it’s a moment of surrender where he admits his confusion and despair.
Now, Dhrtarastra, the king who is on the side opposing Arjuna, might have felt a sense of joy or relief hearing that Arjuna will not fight. This news could have made him think that his side would easily win without Arjuna’s strength. But Sanjaya's narration suggests something deeper. He highlights Arjuna's true identity as the "chastiser of enemies," meaning that despite his current feelings, Arjuna has the potential and strength to defeat his enemies.
Furthermore, this moment shows that Arjuna is not just acting on his own feelings; he recognizes Krsna as his supreme spiritual guide. By speaking to Krsna and expressing his feelings, Arjuna is essentially showing that he is seeking guidance and clarity. This indicates that he is in a state of learning and humility, which is crucial for someone on a path of growth.
The interpretation shows that while Arjuna is temporarily lost in his emotions, he will soon understand his duty and rise above his confusion. This is a significant turning point because it means that he will ultimately gain wisdom and strength through Krsna’s teachings. Therefore, even though Dhrtarastra’s happiness at Arjuna's decision is momentary, the audience is given a hint that a transformation is on the way. Arjuna will be guided by Krsna and will overcome his sorrow, which will empower him to fight again.
In simpler terms, this part of the story captures an emotional struggle that many can relate to – feeling torn between love for family and the responsibility one has in life. But it also teaches us that seeking help and guidance during tough times can lead to clarity and courage, helping us to face our challenges head-on.