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Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Questions & crisisChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized

2.3 2.5

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.4

Grief, confusion, and Arjuna accepting discipleship

Karma · Action

अर्जुन उवाच

कथं भीष्ममहं संख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन ।

इषुभिः प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन ॥ ४ ॥

arjuna uvāca

kathaṁ bhīṣmam ahaṁ saṅkhye

droṇaṁ ca madhusūdana

iṣubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi

pūjārhāv ari-sūdana

Translation

Arjuna said: O killer of enemies, O killer of Madhu, how can I counterattack with arrows in battle men like Bhīṣma and Droṇa, who are worthy of my worship?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Respect for Worshipable Superiors

1
Arjuna asks how he can shoot arrows at Bhīṣma and Droṇa, who are worthy of his worship.
2
Prabhupāda explains that respectable superiors should not be attacked in return, even if they attack first.
3
Respect means not arguing harshly with superiors or treating them harshly, even when they are harsh.

Key points from the purport

Arjuna counter-argues with Krishna and tries to prove his strong heartedness by the following arguments (Krishna had accused Arjuna of weak heartedness in Text 2.3)

These are some of the arguments in Arjuna’s mind while speaking these verses:

Superiors are always respectable — Should never be fought back even if they attack

Respectable superiors should never be fought back

They are always worshipable

Srila Prabhupada says in the purport “It is the general etiquette that superiors are not to be offered a verbal fight even if sometimes they are harsh in behavior”

Arjuna in a mood of challenging Krishna

Would Krishna counter-attack Urgasena (His own grandfather) or Sandipani Muni (His own teacher)