Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 1

English Translation

Sanjaya said To him who had been thus filled with pity, whose eyes were filled with tears and showed distress, and who was sorrowing, Madhusudana uttered these words:

Detailed Commentary

।।2.1।। Commentary — 'Taṃ tathā kṛpayāviṣṭam' — Arjuna commands Bhagavan, who is seated as his charioteer, "O Achyuta! Place my chariot between the two armies, so I may see who are those fighting with me in this war?" Arjuna had enthusiasm and valor for war, but now, seeing his kinsmen, he has become deluded. Now his body is becoming feeble, his face is dry, and his mind is bewildered. Seeing this, Sanjaya is astonished. In the twenty-eighth verse of the first chapter, the terms 'kṛpayā parayāviṣṭaḥ' (overcome by supreme compassion) have also been used. 'Aśrupūrṇākulekṣaṇam' (eyes filled with tears and agitated) indicates that Arjuna's eyes were filled with tears. 'Viṣīdantam idaṃ vākyam uvāca Madhusūdanaḥ' (Madhusūdana spoke these words to him who was sorrowful) reveals that Bhagavan spoke these words to Arjuna, who was lamenting due to cowardice. Here, saying 'idaṃ vākyam' (these words) was not strictly necessary, but its purpose is to highlight the extraordinary nature of Bhagavan's discourse. Bhagavan's words directly struck at the evil of dereliction of duty that had come upon Arjuna, cloaked in the guise of Dharma. As a result of this, Arjuna becomes Bhagavan's disciple. Sanjaya's use of the term 'Madhusūdanaḥ' signifies that Bhagavan Shri Krishna is the slayer of the demon named Madhu. Bhagavan will certainly cause the destruction of those with evil dispositions. Connection — What words Bhagavan spoke to Arjuna is described in the following two verses.