न हि प्रपश्यामि ममापनुद्या
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता 2.8
द्यच्छोकमुच्छोषणमिन्द्रियाणाम्।
अवाप्य भूमावसपत्नमृद्धं
राज्यं सुराणामपि चाधिपत्यम्॥
Word-by-Word Meaning
- न हि प्रपश्यामि – I do not see
- मम – my
- अपनुद्यात् – would remove
- यत् – which
- शोकम् – grief
- उच्छोषणम् – drying up
- इन्द्रियाणाम् – of the senses
- अवाप्य – having obtained
- भूमौ – on earth
- असपत्नम् – unrivalled
- ऋद्धम् – prosperous
- राज्यं – kingdom
- सुराणाम् – of the gods
- अपि च – even
- आधिपत्यम् – lordship
“For should I attain the monarchy of the visible world, or over the invisible world, it would not drive away the anguish which is now paralysing my senses.”
English Translation by Shri Purohit Swami
Commentary by Swami Ramsukhdas Ji
Swami Ramsukhdas Ji reveals the profound depths of Arjuna’s realization in this verse:
1. The Nature of Arjuna’s Grief
Swami Ji explains that Arjuna thinks:
- Krishna might believe victory and kingdom would remove his sorrow
- But even if he gets a prosperous and unrivaled kingdom (धनधान्यसे सम्पन्न और निष्कण्टक राज्य)
- Where people are happy and prosperous
- Where there is no scarcity of anything
- Where there are no enemies
- Even then his grief cannot be removed
2. The Futility of Divine Pleasures
Through “सुराणामपि चाधिपत्यम्”, Swami Ji points out:
- Not just earthly kingdom, but even lordship over gods cannot remove his sorrow
- Even Indra’s divine pleasures (इन्द्रका दिव्य भोगोंवाला राज्य) would be meaningless
- His burning anxiety and worry cannot be assuaged by any material or divine gains
3. The Depth of His Sorrow
Swami Ji explains that:
- When mere anticipation of loss causes such grief, actual loss would be unbearable
- If grief was for kingdom, it could be removed by gaining kingdom
- But grief from anticipated loss of family cannot be removed by any gain
- The kingdom would be meaningless without loved ones to share it with
4. The Evolution of Understanding
Swami Ji reveals an important distinction:
- In Chapter 1 (1.32-33), Arjuna rejected kingdom out of family attachment
- Here, the rejection comes from deeper understanding
- Earlier it was emotional attachment
- Now it’s spiritual realization of the futility of material gains
Practical Applications for Modern Life
1. Understanding True Happiness
- Material success cannot compensate for emotional loss
- External achievements don’t guarantee inner peace
- Relationships matter more than material gains
- True contentment comes from within
2. Dealing with Loss
- Material compensations cannot heal emotional wounds
- Understanding the limitations of worldly solutions
- Recognizing the need for spiritual strength
- Finding meaning beyond material success
Conclusion: The Limitations of Material Solutions
This verse, as explained by Swami Ramsukhdas Ji, reveals a profound truth: no amount of material success, even lordship over gods, can remove deep spiritual anguish. When grief comes from potential loss of loved ones, no external gain can provide solace. The verse teaches that material solutions cannot resolve spiritual crises.
Arjuna’s realization shows the evolution from emotional attachment to spiritual understanding. His recognition that even the highest worldly achievements cannot assuage his grief marks a crucial step in his spiritual journey, preparing him for the profound wisdom Krishna is about to impart.
