Chapter 1 Verse 29-31
Arjun Viṣhād Yog
सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति। वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते।।1.29।। गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते। न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः।।1.30।। निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव। न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे।।1.31।।
sīdanti mama gātrāṇi mukhaṁ cha pariśhuṣhyati vepathuśh cha śharīre me roma-harṣhaśh cha jāyate gāṇḍīvaṁ sraṁsate hastāt tvak chaiva paridahyate na cha śhaknomy avasthātuṁ bhramatīva cha me manaḥ nimittāni cha paśhyāmi viparītāni keśhava na cha śhreyo ’nupaśhyāmi hatvā sva-janam āhave
Word Meanings
| sīdanti | quivering |
| mama | my |
| gātrāṇi | limbs |
| mukham | mouth |
| cha | and |
| pariśhuṣhyati | is drying up vepathuḥ |
| cha | and |
| śharīre | on the body |
| me | my |
| roma-harṣhaḥ | standing of bodily hair on end |
| cha | also |
| jāyate | is happening |
| gāṇḍīvam | Arjun’s bow |
| sraṁsate | is slipping |
| hastāt | from (my) hand |
| tvak | skin |
| cha | and |
| eva | indeed |
| paridahyate | is burning all over |
| na | not |
| cha | and |
| śhaknomi | am able |
| avasthātum | remain steady |
| bhramati iva | whirling like |
| cha | and |
| me | my |
| manaḥ | mind |
| nimittāni | omens |
| cha | and |
| paśhyāmi | I see |
| viparītāni | misfortune |
| keśhava | Shree Krishna, killer of the Keshi demon |
| na | not |
| cha | also |
| śhreyaḥ | good |
| anupaśhyāmi | I foresee |
| hatvā | from killing |
| sva-janam | kinsmen |
| āhave | in battle |
Translation
My limbs fail, my mouth is parched, my body quivers, and my hair stands on end. The Gandiva slips from my hand, and my skin burns all over; I am unable to stand, and my mind is reeling, as it were. And I see ill omens, O Kesava. I do not see any good in slaying my kinsmen in battle.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Arjuna’s body and mind react strongly to the thought of killing his own relatives. His trembling, dry mouth, and dizzy mind show how sorrow and attachment can overwhelm reason and will. This is a human, honest response to moral conflict.
Philosophically, the verses teach that emotions give important signals but can also cloud judgment. When the heart is full of fear and grief, we may see only bad omens and lose sight of what is right. True guidance asks us to notice these feelings, then steady the mind so we can choose from clarity rather than panic.
The scene invites us to recognize the difference between reaction and wise action. Spiritual growth means learning to hold compassion and duty together—feeling deeply but not being paralyzed by that feeling when a clear, ethical choice must be made.
Life Application
- When you feel overwhelmed, pause, breathe, and name the physical sensations (e.g., "I am shaking," "my mouth is dry") to regain a bit of distance.
- Delay big decisions if possible; rest, seek a calm friend or mentor, and revisit the choice when your mind is steadier.
- Check motives: ask whether fear or attachment is driving you, and try to respond from your deeper values rather than a momentary rush of emotion.
Reflection Question
What fear or attachment is stopping me from acting in line with my deeper values?