Arjuna

Arjuna said: What is the description of one of steady wisdom who is established in deep absorption, O Keshava? How does the person of stable insight speak? How does such a one sit? How does such a one move?

Arjuna said: If you hold that discernment is superior to action, O Janardana, then why do you urge me toward this terrible action, O Keshava?

With speech that seems mixed and ambiguous, you seem to confuse my understanding. Tell me with certainty just one thing by which I may attain what is truly good.

Arjuna said: Then what is it that impels a person to commit sin, O Varshneya, even unwillingly — as if driven by force?

Arjuna said: Your birth was later; the birth of Vivasvan was earlier. How am I to understand that you declared this yoga in the beginning?

Arjuna said: My delusion is destroyed, and I have regained remembrance by Your grace, O Achyuta. I stand firm, my doubts gone; I shall do Your word.

My own nature has been overcome by the taint of weakness; my mind is bewildered as to what is righteous. I ask you — tell me clearly what is truly good. I am your disciple; instruct me, for I have taken refuge in you.

Arjuna said: O mighty-armed one, O Hrishikesha, O slayer of Keshi — I wish to know separately the true nature of renunciation and of relinquishment.

Arjuna said: O Achyuta, place my chariot between the two armies.

My limbs give way beneath me, my mouth is parching, my body trembles and my hair stands on end.

The Gandiva slips from my grasp, my skin burns all over, I cannot keep my footing, and my mind seems to reel.

O Krishna, I desire neither victory nor kingdom nor pleasures. O Govinda, what use is a kingdom to us, or enjoyments, or even life itself?

I do not wish to slay these, O Madhusudana, even if they strike me down — not even for the lordship of all three worlds, let alone for this earth.

Arjuna said: O Madhusudana, O destroyer of enemies, how can I shoot arrows in battle against Bhishma and Drona, who are worthy of my deepest reverence?

It is far better to live in this world on alms than to slay these great and noble teachers. For if I kill them, though they hunger for worldly gain, all pleasures I would taste in life would be stained with their blood.

For I see nothing that could drive away the grief that is withering my senses — not an unrivalled, prosperous kingdom on earth, nor even lordship over the gods.

For the mind is restless, O Krishna — turbulent, powerful, and obstinate. To restrain it, I think, is as difficult as taming the wind.

You are the imperishable supreme, the ultimate object of knowledge; You are the supreme treasure-house of this universe; You are the indestructible guardian of eternal righteousness; I hold You to be the eternal Puruṣa.

Overwhelmed by a deep surge of compassion, filled with grief, he spoke: O Krishna, seeing all these kinsmen assembled here ready to fight,

And I see only ill omens, O Keshava. I cannot perceive what good can come from slaying my own kinsmen in battle.