Self-Doubt

अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि। युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः॥

Here are heroes, mighty archers, equal in battle to Bhima and Arjuna: Yuyudhana, Virata, and Drupada, the great warrior.

धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान्। पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गवः॥

There are also Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, the valiant king of Kashi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Shaibya, the best of men.

भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः। अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च॥

Yourself (Drona), Bhishma, Karna, Kripa who is always victorious in battle, Ashwatthama, Vikarna, and the son of Somadatta.

अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः। नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः॥

And many other heroes who are prepared to give up their lives for my sake, armed with various weapons, all skilled in warfare.

अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम्। पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम्॥

Our army, protected by Bhishma, is unlimited, whereas theirs, guarded by Bhima, is limited.

पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनञ्जयः। पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः॥

Krishna blew His conch Panchajanya, Arjuna blew Devadatta, and Bhima of terrible deeds blew his mighty conch Paundra.

द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते। सौभद्रश्च महाबाहुः शङ्खान्दध्मुः पृथक्पृथक्॥

Drupada, the sons of Draupadi, and the mighty-armed Abhimanyu, son of Subhadra, all blew their respective conches, O King.

गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते। न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः॥

The Gandiva bow slips from my hand, my skin burns all over, I am unable to stand, and my mind is reeling.

न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च। किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा॥

I do not desire victory, O Krishna, nor kingdom, nor pleasures. Of what use is kingdom to us, O Govinda? Of what use are enjoyments or even life itself?

अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम्। यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः॥

Alas! We are resolved to commit great sin, being prepared to kill our own kinsmen out of greed for royal happiness.

यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः। धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत्॥

It would be better for me if the sons of Dhritarashtra, with weapons in hand, were to kill me unarmed and unresisting in battle.

सञ्जय उवाच। एवमुक्त्वार्जुनः सङ्ख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्। विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः॥

Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus on the battlefield, Arjuna cast aside his bow and arrows, and sat down on the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief.

सञ्जय उवाच। तं तथा कृपयाविष्टमश्रुपूर्णाकुलेक्षणम्। विषीदन्तमिदं वाक्यमुवाच मधुसूदनः॥

Sanjaya said: To him who was thus overcome with pity, whose eyes were filled with tears and troubled, and who was despairing, Madhusudana spoke these words.

श्रीभगवानुवाच। कुतस्त्वा कश्मलमिदं विषमे समुपस्थितम्। अनार्यजुष्टमस्वर्ग्यमकीर्तिकरमर्जुन॥

The Supreme Lord said: From where has this weakness come upon you at this critical hour? It is not befitting noble souls, nor does it lead to heaven, and it causes disgrace, O Arjuna.

क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते। क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप॥

Do not yield to unmanliness, O Partha. It does not befit you. Cast off this petty weakness of heart and arise, O scorcher of enemies!

न चैतद्विद्मः कतरन्नो गरीयो यद्वा जयेम यदि वा नो जयेयुः। यानेव हत्वा न जिजीविषामस्तेऽवस्थिताः प्रमुखे धार्तराष्ट्राः॥

We do not know which is better - to conquer them or be conquered by them. The sons of Dhritarashtra, killing whom we would not wish to live, stand before us.

कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः। यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम्॥

My heart is afflicted by weakness and my mind is confused about dharma. Tell me decisively what is best for me. I am Your disciple. Instruct me, for I have surrendered to You.

न हि प्रपश्यामि ममापनुद्याद्यच्छोकमुच्छोषणमिन्द्रियाणाम्। अवाप्य भूमावसपत्नमृद्धं राज्यं सुराणामपि चाधिपत्यम्॥

I see nothing that can remove this grief which is drying up my senses, even if I were to attain unrivaled and prosperous kingdom on earth, or even sovereignty over the gods.

सञ्जय उवाच। एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशं गुडाकेशः परन्तपः। न योत्स्य इति गोविन्दमुक्त्वा तूष्णीं बभूव ह॥

Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus to Krishna, Arjuna, the conqueror of sleep and scorcher of enemies, said 'I will not fight' and became silent.

तमुवाच हृषीकेशः प्रहसन्निव भारत। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये विषीदन्तमिदं वचः॥

O Dhritarashtra, to the grieving Arjuna, between the two armies, Krishna, smiling as it were, spoke these words.

अविनाशि तु तद्विद्धि येन सर्वमिदं ततम्। विनाशमव्ययस्यास्य न कश्चित्कर्तुमर्हति॥

Know that which pervades the entire body is indestructible. No one can destroy the imperishable soul.

अन्तवन्त इमे देहा नित्यस्योक्ताः शरीरिणः। अनाशिनोऽप्रमेयस्य तस्माद्युध्यस्व भारत॥

Only the material body of the eternal, indestructible, and immeasurable soul is subject to destruction. Therefore, fight, O Arjuna!

नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः। न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः॥

Weapons cannot cut the soul, fire cannot burn it, water cannot wet it, and wind cannot dry it.

अच्छेद्योऽयमदाह्योऽयमक्लेद्योऽशोष्य एव च। नित्यः सर्वगतः स्थाणुरचलोऽयं सनातनः॥

The soul cannot be cut, burned, wetted, or dried. It is eternal, all-pervading, stable, immovable, and everlasting.

आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति कश्चिदेनमाश्चर्यवद्वदति तथैव चान्यः। आश्चर्यवच्चैनमन्यः शृणोति श्रुत्वाप्येनं वेद न चैव कश्चित्॥

Some look upon the soul as amazing, some speak of it as amazing, some hear of it as amazing, while others, even after hearing, cannot understand it at all.

स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि। धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते॥

Considering your own duty as a warrior, you should not waver. For a warrior, there is nothing better than a righteous war.

अथ चेत्त्वमिमं धर्म्यं सङ्ग्रामं न करिष्यसि। ततः स्वधर्मं कीर्तिं च हित्वा पापमवाप्स्यसि॥

But if you do not fight this righteous war, you will abandon your duty and your honor, and incur sin.

अकीर्तिं चापि भूतानि कथयिष्यन्ति तेऽव्ययाम्। सम्भावितस्य चाकीर्तिर्मरणादतिरिच्यते॥

People will speak of your everlasting dishonor. For a respectable person, dishonor is worse than death.

भयाद्रणादुपरतं मंस्यन्ते त्वां महारथाः। येषां च त्वं बहुमतो भूत्वा यास्यसि लाघवम्॥

The great warriors will think you fled from battle out of fear, and those who held you in high esteem will think lightly of you.

अवाच्यवादांश्च बहून्वदिष्यन्ति तवाहिताः। निन्दन्तस्तव सामर्थ्यं ततो दुःखतरं नु किम्॥

Your enemies will speak many unspeakable words, slandering your abilities. What could be more painful than that?

हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम्। तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः॥

If you are killed, you will attain heaven; if you are victorious, you will enjoy the earth. Therefore, arise, O son of Kunti, and be determined to fight.

नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते। स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात्॥

In this path, no effort is ever lost, and there is no adverse effect. Even a little practice of this dharma protects one from great fear.

व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन। बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम्॥

Those who are resolute have single-pointed determination. But the intellect of the irresolute is many-branched and endless.

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥

You have the right to perform your duty, but never to the fruits of your action. Never consider yourself the cause of results, nor be attached to inaction.

यततो ह्यपि कौन्तेय पुरुषस्य विपश्चितः। इन्द्रियाणि प्रमाथीनि हरन्ति प्रसभं मनः॥

O son of Kunti, the turbulent senses can forcibly carry away the mind of even a discerning person who is striving for self-control.

क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोहः सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रमः। स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति॥

From anger arises delusion; from delusion, confusion of memory; from confusion of memory, destruction of intelligence; and from destruction of intelligence, one perishes.

या निशा सर्वभूतानां तस्यां जागर्ति संयमी। यस्यां जाग्रति भूतानि सा निशा पश्यतो मुनेः॥

What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled; and the time when all beings are awake is night for the seeing sage.

विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान्पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः। निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः स शान्तिमधिगच्छति॥

One who gives up all selfish desires, and lives free from longing, free from 'mine' and 'ego,' attains peace.

अर्जुन उवाच। ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन। तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव॥

Arjuna said: O Janardana, if You consider knowledge superior to action, why then do You ask me to engage in this terrible war, O Keshava?

व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे। तदेकं वद निश्चित्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम्॥

My intellect is confused by Your ambiguous words. Tell me decisively that one path by which I can attain the highest good.

श्रीभगवानुवाच। लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ। ज्ञानयोगेन साङ्ख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम्॥

The Supreme Lord said: O sinless one, I have previously explained two paths for the world — the path of knowledge for the contemplative and the path of action for the active.

प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः। अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते॥

All actions are performed by the three modes of material nature. But one deluded by ego thinks 'I am the doer.'

ये त्वेतदभ्यसूयन्तो नानुतिष्ठन्ति मे मतम्। सर्वज्ञानविमूढांस्तान्विद्धि नष्टानचेतसः॥

But those who criticize this teaching and do not follow it, know them to be devoid of all knowledge, deluded, and doomed.

सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि। प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति॥

Even a person of knowledge acts according to their own nature. All beings follow their nature. What can repression accomplish?

श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्। स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः॥

It is better to perform one's own duty imperfectly than to perform another's duty perfectly. Death in one's own duty is preferable; another's duty is fraught with danger.

अर्जुन उवाच। अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः। अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः॥

Arjuna said: O descendant of Vrishni, what compels a person to commit sin, even against their will, as if driven by force?

इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः। मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः॥

The senses are superior to the body; the mind is superior to the senses; the intellect is superior to the mind; and that which is superior to the intellect is the soul.

एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना। जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम्॥

Thus knowing the soul to be superior to the intellect, steady the self by the self. O mighty-armed one, slay the enemy in the form of desire, which is difficult to overcome.

अर्जुन उवाच। अपरं भवतो जन्म परं जन्म विवस्वतः। कथमेतद्विजानीयां त्वमादौ प्रोक्तवानिति॥

Arjuna said: Your birth is recent, while Vivasvan's birth is ancient. How am I to understand that You taught this yoga in the beginning?

श्रीभगवानुवाच। बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन। तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप॥

The Supreme Lord said: Many births have passed for you and for Me, O Arjuna. I know them all; you do not, O scorcher of foes.

ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम्। मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः॥

In whatever way people surrender to Me, I reciprocate accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O Partha.

चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः। तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम्॥

The four divisions of human society were created by Me according to differences in qualities and activities. Know that though I am the creator, I am the non-doer and eternal.

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया। उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं ज्ञानिनस्तत्त्वदर्शिनः॥

Learn this by humble submission, inquiry, and service. The wise who have seen the truth will impart knowledge to you.

अपि चेदसि पापेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यः पापकृत्तमः। सर्वं ज्ञानप्लवेनैव वृजिनं सन्तरिष्यसि॥

Even if you are the most sinful of all sinners, you will cross over all sin by the boat of knowledge.

न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते। तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्धः कालेनात्मनि विन्दति॥

Truly, there is nothing as purifying as knowledge in this world. One who has become perfected in yoga finds this knowledge within oneself in due time.

अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति। नायं लोकोऽस्ति न परो न सुखं संशयात्मनः॥

The ignorant, the faithless, and the doubting self perish. For the doubting soul, there is neither this world, nor the next, nor happiness.

योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसञ्छिन्नसंशयम्। आत्मवन्तं न कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय॥

O Dhananjaya, one who has renounced actions through yoga, whose doubts have been cut by knowledge, and who is established in the self — actions do not bind such a person.

तस्मादज्ञानसम्भूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनात्मनः। छित्त्वैनं संशयं योगमातिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भारत॥

Therefore, with the sword of knowledge, cut asunder this doubt born of ignorance that dwells in your heart. Take refuge in yoga. Arise, O Bharata!

अर्जुन उवाच। सन्न्यासं कर्मणां कृष्ण पुनर्योगं च शंससि। यच्छ्रेय एतयोरेकं तन्मे ब्रूहि सुनिश्चितम्॥

Arjuna said: O Krishna, You praise renunciation of actions and also the yoga of action. Tell me conclusively which one of these two is better.

साङ्ख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः। एकमप्यास्थितः सम्यगुभयोर्विन्दते फलम्॥

Only the ignorant speak of Sankhya (the path of knowledge) and Yoga (the path of action) as different. The wise know that one who is established in either attains the fruit of both.

न कर्तृत्वं न कर्माणि लोकस्य सृजति प्रभुः। न कर्मफलसंयोगं स्वभावस्तु प्रवर्तते॥

The Lord does not create the sense of doership or actions for beings, nor the connection of action with its fruit. It is only one's own nature that operates.

नादत्ते कस्यचित्पापं न चैव सुकृतं विभुः। अज्ञानेनावृतं ज्ञानं तेन मुह्यन्ति जन्तवः॥

The omnipresent Lord does not accept anyone's sin or merit. Knowledge is covered by ignorance; therefore beings are deluded.

ज्ञानेन तु तदज्ञानं येषां नाशितमात्मनः। तेषामादित्यवज्ज्ञानं प्रकाशयति तत्परम्॥

But for those in whom ignorance of the Self is destroyed by knowledge, that knowledge, like the sun, reveals the Supreme.

बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत्सुखम्। स ब्रह्मयोगयुक्तात्मा सुखमक्षयमश्नुते॥

One who is unattached to external sense contacts discovers happiness in the Self. With the soul united with Brahman through yoga, one attains inexhaustible bliss.

योऽन्तःसुखोऽन्तरारामस्तथान्तर्ज्योतिरेव यः। स योगी ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं ब्रह्मभूतोऽधिगच्छति॥

One whose happiness is within, whose delight is within, and whose light is within — that yogi, becoming one with Brahman, attains liberation in Brahman.

लभन्ते ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृषयः क्षीणकल्मषाः। छिन्नद्वैधा यतात्मानः सर्वभूतहिते रताः॥

The sages whose impurities are destroyed, whose doubts are cut asunder, who are self-controlled, and who rejoice in the welfare of all beings, attain liberation in Brahman.

भोक्तारं यज्ञतपसां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम्। सुहृदं सर्वभूतानां ज्ञात्वा मां शान्तिमृच्छति॥

Knowing Me as the enjoyer of all sacrifices and austerities, the great Lord of all worlds, and the friend of all beings, one attains peace.

आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते। योगारूढस्य तस्यैव शमः कारणमुच्यते॥

For one who wishes to attain yoga, action is said to be the means. For one who has attained yoga, tranquility becomes the means.

उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्। आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥

One must elevate oneself by one's own mind, not degrade oneself. The mind alone is the friend of the self, and the mind alone is the enemy of the self.

बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः। अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत्॥

For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends. But for one who has failed to do so, the mind remains the greatest enemy.

अर्जुन उवाच। योऽयं योगस्त्वया प्रोक्तः साम्येन मधुसूदन। एतस्याहं न पश्यामि चञ्चलत्वात्स्थितिं स्थिराम्॥

Arjuna said: O Madhusudana, this yoga of equanimity which You have described — I do not see how it can be sustained, because of the restlessness of the mind.

चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद्दृढम्। तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम्॥

For the mind is restless, turbulent, powerful, and obstinate, O Krishna. Controlling it seems as difficult as controlling the wind.

असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मतिः। वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्तुमुपायतः॥

In My view, yoga is difficult to attain for one of uncontrolled mind. But it is attainable through proper means by one who strives with a controlled mind.

अर्जुन उवाच। अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगाच्चलितमानसः। अप्राप्य योगसंसिद्धिं कां गतिं कृष्ण गच्छति॥

Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is the fate of one who has faith but lacks perseverance, whose mind wanders from yoga, and who fails to attain perfection?

एतन्मे संशयं कृष्ण छेत्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः। त्वदन्यः संशयस्यास्य छेत्ता न ह्युपपद्यते॥

O Krishna, please completely dispel this doubt of mine. No one but You is capable of destroying this doubt.

मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिद्यतति सिद्धये। यततामपि सिद्धानां कश्चिन्मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः॥

Among thousands of people, hardly one strives for perfection. And among those who strive and succeed, hardly one knows Me in truth.