Verse-1-2
Chapter 3 — Karma Yoga
Verse 1-2
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
|| Arjuna uvaacha ||
jyāyasī cetkarmaṇaste matā buddhirjanārdana
tatkiṁ karmaṇi ghore māṁ niyojayasi keśava
vyāmiśreṇeva vākyena buddhiṁ mohayasīva me
tadekam vada niścitya yena śreyo'hamāpnuyām
🕉 English Translation
📜 Translation
English
Arjun said: O Janardan! If in your opinion in comparison to action, knowledge is superior then O Keshav! Why do you ask me to engage in terrible actions?
It appears that by using conflicting statements you are bewildering my intellect. That is why tell me decisively that one thing by which I may attain supreme good.
Arjun is deluded and bewildered. Until now his thinking is one-sided and in a one-sided approach the person understands only his own viewpoint to be correct and tries to convince others also to accept it. Arjun is till now a prey to the mentality of 'nayotsya' (I will not fight). In any manner he would like to escape from the war. With the psychology of the human mind this fact is also associated that while it is under delusion it feels that it is being deluded. The insane person does not consider himself to be insane but he considers others to be so, no matter whosoever is in front of him.
It is appearing to Arjun as if the Lord is trying to bewilder him. In reality, it is Arjun who is trapped in his narrow thoughts. The Blessed Lord has nowhere indicated that knowledge is superior to action and that is why knowledge should be accepted and action abandoned. The Lord is saying 'karmanyavadhikaraste...ma te sango asvakarmani' (you have right only for the performance of your duty; do not be attached to inaction). He is giving inspiration for 'yogastyah kuru karmani' (perform actions after establishing yourself in yoga).
Arjun says: 'Vayamishrenaiv vakyena', you are speaking mixed words meaning that you are not providing clarity on the issue but making conflicting statements. Whatever the Blessed Lord has stated is very straight and clear. The motivation is for action but with the knowledge of freedom from the bondage of action. This statement carries deep implications. Arjun at this point of time is unable to grasp the same. That is why Arjun has used the word 'iva'. Mixed words as it were. For his own upliftment also Arjun is asking for the Lord's definite opinion–'tadekam vad nischatya yena shreyoahamapyunaam'. In the enquiry the reverence is reflected. Arjun is also of the firm opinion that his welfare lies in the hands of the Lord. This is the salubrious and the brightest aspect of Arjun's life.