Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.30
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Arjuna spoke)
गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते । न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः ॥३०॥
gāṇḍīvaṃ sraṃsate hastāttvakcaiva paridahyate | na ca śaknomyavasthātuṃ bhramatīva ca me manaḥ ||30||
Complete Shloka Translation
Gandiva slips from my hand and my skin burns. I cannot remain standing, and my mind seems to reel.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| गाण्डीवम् | gāṇḍīvam | my celebrated bow Gandiva |
| स्रंसते | sraṃsate | is slipping uncontrollably |
| हस्तात् | hastāt | from my hand |
| त्वक् | tvak | skin |
| च एव | ca eva | and indeed |
| परिदह्यते | paridahyate | is burning as if on fire |
| न च | na ca | nor |
| शक्नोमि | śaknomi | am I able |
| अवस्थातुम् | avasthātum | to remain upright |
| भ्रमति इव | bhramati iva | seems to be spinning / reeling |
| च | ca | and |
| मे | me | my |
| मनः | manaḥ | mind |
my celebrated bow Gandiva
is slipping uncontrollably
from my hand
skin
and indeed
is burning as if on fire
nor
am I able
to remain upright
seems to be spinning / reeling
and
my
mind
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The slipping bow links inward turmoil to a concrete loss of readiness. Arjuna reports both bodily difficulty and mental disorientation, preparing the move from observation to arguments against fighting.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"His distress now interferes with the very actions needed for battle."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What pause or support would help before I make a major decision?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Cognitive Distortion and Catastrophizing: Arjuna sees adverse omens and his mind spins in circles. Panic breeds cognitive distortions where every sign is interpreted as impending doom. Learn to separate objective facts from catastrophic projections.