Chapter 2, Verse 6 (Bhagavad Gita 2.6)
Chapter 2: Sānkhya Yog – Transcendental Knowledge
Sanskrit Shloka
न चैतद्विद्मः कतरन्नो गरीयो यद्वा जयेम यदि वा नो जयेयुः। यानेव हत्वा न जिजीविषाम स्तेऽवस्थिताः प्रमुखे धार्तराष्ट्राः
Transliteration
na chaitadvidmaḥ kataranno garīyo yadvā jayema yadi vā no jayeyuḥ yāneva hatvā na jijīviṣhāmas te ’vasthitāḥ pramukhe dhārtarāṣhṭrāḥ
Word Meanings
na—not; cha—and; etat—this; vidmaḥ—we know; katarat—which; naḥ—for us; garīyaḥ—is preferable; yat vā—whether; jayema—we may conquer; yadi—if; vā—or; naḥ—us; jayeyuḥ—they may conquer; yān—whom; eva—certainly; hatvā—after killing; na—not; jijīviṣhāmaḥ—we desire to live; te—they; avasthitāḥ—are standing; pramukhe—before us; dhārtarāṣhṭrāḥ—the sons of Dhritarashtra
Translation
We do not know which is better for us—that we conquer them or that they conquer us. Even those sons of Dhritarashtra, whom having killed we would not wish to live, stand arrayed before us.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse reveals the paralyzing state of 'Dharma-samudha' or ethical confusion, where the ego is caught between duty and affection. Arjuna’s dilemma represents the human tendency to over-analyze consequences, leading to inertia when faced with difficult life choices. Spiritually, it highlights how emotional attachments cloud our perception of justice and righteousness, causing us to lose sight of the higher truth. By questioning the value of victory itself, the verse invites us to transcend dualities like success and failure. Ultimately, it teaches that true peace comes not from external outcomes, but from aligning one's actions with divine purpose rather than personal desire.