सञ्जय उवाच
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता 2.9
एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशं गुडाकेशः परन्तप।
न योत्स्य इति गोविन्दमुक्त्वा तूष्णीं बभूव ह॥
Word-by-Word Meaning
- सञ्जय उवाच – Sanjaya said
- एवम् – thus
- उक्त्वा – having spoken
- हृषीकेशं – to Hrishikesha (Krishna, master of senses)
- गुडाकेशः – Gudakesha (Arjuna, conqueror of sleep)
- परन्तप – O scorcher of foes (Dhritarashtra)
- न योत्स्ये – I will not fight
- इति – thus
- गोविन्दम् – to Govinda (Krishna)
- उक्त्वा – having said
- तूष्णीं – silent
- बभूव – became
- ह – indeed
“Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus to Hrishikesha, Gudakesha, the scorcher of foes, said to Govinda, ‘I will not fight,’ and became silent.”
English Translation by Shri Purohit Swami
Commentary by Swami Ramsukhdas Ji
Swami Ramsukhdas Ji reveals several profound aspects of this verse:
1. The Final Decision
After considering both his own perspective and Krishna’s viewpoint, Arjuna arrives at his conclusion:
- Fighting would at most bring kingdom and fame
- But it wouldn’t remove his inner grief and anxiety
- Therefore, not fighting seemed the better option
- Though he respects Krishna’s words, he cannot fully accept them
2. The Clear Statement
Swami Ji explains that when Arjuna says “न योत्स्ये” (I will not fight):
- He expresses his final decision clearly and firmly
- Having nothing more to say, he becomes silent
- This silence indicates the peak of his confusion
- It sets the stage for Krishna’s divine teaching
3. The Significance of Names Used
The verse uses specific names with deep meanings:
- हृषीकेश (Hrishikesha) – Master of senses, indicating Krishna’s divine control
- गुडाकेश (Gudakesha) – Conqueror of sleep, showing Arjuna’s usual alertness
- गोविन्द (Govinda) – Protector of cows and knower of Vedas, suggesting Krishna’s divine wisdom
Practical Applications for Modern Life
1. Handling Difficult Decisions
- Recognizing when our judgment is clouded
- Understanding the importance of seeking guidance
- Learning to express our concerns clearly
- Knowing when to pause and reflect
2. The Value of Silence
- Understanding when to stop arguing
- Creating space for higher wisdom
- Using silence as preparation for learning
- Recognizing our limitations
Conclusion: The Moment Before Divine Teaching
This verse marks a crucial transition in the Bhagavad Gita. Arjuna’s firm statement “I will not fight” followed by silence represents the complete exhaustion of human intellect and reasoning. As Swami Ramsukhdas Ji explains, this moment of complete silence after expressing his decision creates the perfect condition for receiving divine knowledge.
The verse teaches us that sometimes we must reach the limit of our own understanding before we can truly open ourselves to higher wisdom. Arjuna’s silence after declaring his decision represents not just confusion, but the readiness to receive divine guidance – a state that Krishna will address in the verses that follow.
