Chapter 2, Verse 1 (Bhagavad Gita 2.1)
Chapter 2: Sānkhya Yog – Transcendental Knowledge
Sanskrit Shloka
सञ्जय उवाच तं तथा कृपयाऽविष्टमश्रुपूर्णाकुलेक्षणम्। विषीदन्तमिदं वाक्यमुवाच मधुसूदनः
Transliteration
sañjaya uvācha taṁ tathā kṛipayāviṣhṭamaśhru pūrṇākulekṣhaṇam viṣhīdantamidaṁ vākyam uvācha madhusūdanaḥ
Word Meanings
sañjayaḥ uvācha—Sanjay said; tam—to him (Arjun); tathā—thus; kṛipayā—with pity; āviṣhṭam—overwhelmed; aśhru-pūrṇa—full of tears; ākula—distressed; īkṣhaṇam—eyes; viṣhīdantam—grief-stricken; idam—these; vākyam—words; uvācha—said; madhusūdanaḥ—Shree Krishn, slayer of the Madhu demon
Translation
Sanjaya said: To him who was thus overcome by pity, whose eyes were filled with tears, and who was despondent and agitated, Krishna, the destroyer of Madhu, spoke these words.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse marks the intersection of human frailty and divine guidance. Arjuna's state of 'kripa' (misplaced pity) and 'vishada' (despondency) represents the universal human condition when confronted with the harsh realities of duty and detachment. By addressing Krishna as 'Madhusudana,' Sanjaya hints that the Lord is the one who destroys the inner demons of confusion and ego. This transformation teaches us that before true knowledge can be imparted, one must reach a state of vulnerability and complete surrender. It serves as a reminder that suffering is often the threshold of spiritual awakening, provided one seeks the guidance of the Divine.