Skip to main content
← Chapter 2: The Yoga of Knowledge

Verse 2.4

Speaker: Arjuna

Sanskrit

अर्जुन उवाच कथं भीष्ममहं सङ्ख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन। इषुभिः प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन॥

Transliteration (IAST)

arjuna uvāca kathaṁ bhīṣmam ahaṁ saṅkhye droṇaṁ ca madhusūdana iṣubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi pūjārhāv arisūdana

Word-by-Word Meanings

bhīṣmam-Bhishma
saṅkhye-in battle
droṇam-Drona
iṣubhiḥ-with arrows
pūjārhau-worthy of worship

Translation

Arjuna said: How can I fight with arrows in battle against Bhishma and Drona, who are worthy of my worship, O Madhusudana?

Commentary

Arjuna raises a genuine moral dilemma - fighting against revered elders and teachers. This reflects the conflict between social duty and personal dharma. Krishna will resolve this by elevating the discourse to the level of the eternal Self.

Themes

dharmaduty