Chapter 2, Verse 7 (Bhagavad Gita 2.7)
Chapter 2: Sānkhya Yog – Transcendental Knowledge
Sanskrit Shloka
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसंमूढचेताः। यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्िचतं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम्
Transliteration
kārpaṇya-doṣhopahata-svabhāvaḥ pṛichchhāmi tvāṁ dharma-sammūḍha-chetāḥ yach-chhreyaḥ syānniśhchitaṁ brūhi tanme śhiṣhyaste ’haṁ śhādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam
Word Meanings
kārpaṇya-doṣha—the flaw of cowardice; upahata—besieged; sva-bhāvaḥ—nature; pṛichchhāmi—I am asking; tvām—to you; dharma—duty; sammūḍha—confused; chetāḥ—in heart; yat—what; śhreyaḥ—best; syāt—may be; niśhchitam—decisively; brūhi—tell; tat—that; me—to me; śhiṣhyaḥ—disciple; te—your; aham—I; śhādhi—please instruct; mām—me; tvām—unto you; prapannam—surrendered
Translation
My heart is overwhelmed by pity, and my mind is confused regarding my duty. I beseech You, tell me decisively what is best for me. I am Your disciple; instruct me, for I have taken refuge in You.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse marks the vital psychological turning point where the ego finally surrenders its arrogance and acknowledges its own limitation. Arjuna's admission of confusion is not a sign of weakness, but an act of profound honesty that serves as the necessary precondition for receiving divine wisdom. When we stop relying solely on our limited intellect and seek guidance from a higher source or inner conscience, we create the space for spiritual clarity to emerge. It teaches us that true wisdom begins when we humbly admit we do not know the path and fully commit to the discipline of truth. Surrender, in this context, is the ultimate empowerment that allows one to transcend personal grief and align with the divine order of life.