सञ्जय उवाच एवम् उक्त्वा हृषीकेशं गुडाकेशः परन्तप। न योत्स्य इति गोविन्दम् उक्त्वा तुषणम् अभव् ह।।2.9।।
sañjayaḥ uvāca evam uktvā hṛṣīkeśaṃ guḍākeśaḥ paramtapaḥ na yotsye iti govindam uktvā tūṣṇīm babhūva ha
Translation
Sanjaya said: Having thus spoken, Gudakesha, the chastiser of enemies, addressed Hrishikesh: “Govinda, I shall not fight,” and became silent.
Word Meanings
sañjayaḥ uvāca — Sanjaya said; evam — thus; uktvā — having spoken; hṛṣīkeśam — unto Kṛṣṇa, the master of the senses; guḍākeśaḥ — Arjuna, the master of curbing ignorance; paramtapaḥ — the chastiser of the enemies; na — not; yotsye — shall fight; iti — thus; govindam — unto Kṛṣṇa, the giver of pleasure to the senses; uktvā — saying; tūṣṇīm — silence; babhūva — became; ha — certainly.
Understanding the Verse
In this brief yet profound verse, Sanjaya narrates the moment when Arjuna, having addressed Lord Krishna (Hrishikesh), declares his inability to continue the battle. The verse captures the raw emotional turmoil of Arjuna, who, after hearing the dreadful consequences of war, finds himself paralyzed by moral doubt. He declares “na yotsye” – “I shall not fight” – and then withdraws into a profound silence (tūṣṇīm). This silence is not just an absence of speech; it signifies a deep internal conflict where the warrior’s consciousness confronts the dharmic righteousness of the war versus the familial love that binds him to his cousins.
The name “Gudakesha” (Arjuna) literally means “the master of the senses”, emphasizing his role as a warrior capable of controlling the senses, yet here he is overwhelmed by them. The title “Paramtapa” – “the supreme chastiser of foes” – underscores the paradox of a mighty hero who becomes a pacifist in a moment. Krishna, addressed as “Hṛṣīkeśa” (“Lord of the senses”) and “Govinda” (“the pleaser of the senses”), stands as the divine guide whose counsel will later transform Arjuna’s despair into enlightened action.
The declaration “na yotsye” also sets the stage for the philosophical discourse that follows. It is the catalyst for Krishna’s exposition on duty (dharma), the impermanence of the body, and the eternal nature of the soul (ātman). By refusing to fight, Arjuna inadvertently raises the essential question: What is the nature of righteous action when personal attachments clash with societal responsibilities? This tension is the heart of the Gita’s moral teaching.
Moreover, the silence (tūṣṇīm) that follows Arjuna’s statement represents a contemplative pause, inviting the reader to reflect on the inner war that precedes any external conflict. It suggests that true wisdom emerges not from impulsive deeds but from a calm, introspective mind that can discern the higher purpose beyond immediate emotions.
In summary, Chapter 2, Verse 9, while succinct, captures a pivotal turning point: the hero’s momentary surrender to doubt, the beginning of a deep philosophical journey, and the invitation for humanity to confront its own inner battles. The verse reminds us that even the greatest warriors face moments of vulnerability, and it is through divine guidance and self‑inquiry that they can rise to fulfill their dharma.
