Chapter 1 Verse 47
Arjun Viṣhād Yog
सञ्जय उवाच एवमुक्त्वाऽर्जुनः संख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्। विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः।।1.47।।
sañjaya uvācha evam uktvārjunaḥ saṅkhye rathopastha upāviśhat visṛijya sa-śharaṁ chāpaṁ śhoka-saṁvigna-mānasaḥ
Word Meanings
| sañjayaḥ uvācha | Sanjay said |
| evam uktvā | speaking thus |
| arjunaḥ | Arjun |
| saṅkhye | in the battlefield |
| ratha upasthe | on the chariot |
| upāviśhat | sat |
| visṛijya | casting aside |
| sa-śharam | along with arrows |
| chāpam | the bow |
| śhoka | with grief |
| saṁvigna | distressed |
| mānasaḥ | mind |
Translation
Sanjaya said, Having thus spoken in the midst of the battlefield, Arjuna cast away his bow and arrow and, his mind overwhelmed with sorrow, sat down on the seat of the chariot.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Arjuna's act of dropping his bow and sitting down shows a normal human response to deep sorrow and moral confusion. It teaches that facing an inner crisis honestly is the first step toward true wisdom.
This moment is not weakness but awareness: he stops action driven by emotion. By pausing, Arjuna opens space to reflect, receive guidance, and choose action from clarity rather than impulse.
Spiritually, the verse points to the need to let go of reactive tools (anger, pride, habit) when the mind is overwhelmed. Only from a calm, attentive heart can right understanding and duty arise.
Life Application
- When overwhelmed, pause and put down whatever you were using to "fight" the situation—step away from arguments, devices, or busywork for a few minutes.
- Take a short, steady breath, name the feeling (anger, fear, sadness), and delay action until you can think clearly.
- Seek wise counsel or quiet reflection before making decisions in moments of moral or emotional confusion.
Reflection Question
What would you need to set down right now to see your situation more clearly?