Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.46
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Arjuna spoke)
यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः । धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ॥४६॥
yadi māmapratīkāramaśastraṃ śastrapāṇayaḥ | dhārtarāṣṭrā raṇe hanyustanme kṣemataraṃ bhavet ||46||
Complete Shloka Translation
If Dhritarashtra's sons, armed with weapons, were to kill me in battle while I was unarmed and offered no resistance, that would be better for me.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यदि | yadi | even if |
| माम् | mām | me |
| अप्रतीकारम् | apratīkāram | offering no resistance / defenseless |
| अशस्त्रम् | aśastram | completely unarmed |
| शस्त्रपाणयः | śastra-pāṇayaḥ | with lethal weapons in their hands |
| धार्तराष्ट्राः | dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ | the sons of Dhritarashtra |
| रणे | raṇe | on this battlefield |
| हन्युः | hanyuḥ | should strike down and kill |
| तत् | tat | that fate |
| मे | me | for me |
| क्षेमतरम् | kṣemataram | far more auspicious and blessed |
| भवेत् | bhavet | would truly be |
even if
me
offering no resistance / defenseless
completely unarmed
with lethal weapons in their hands
the sons of Dhritarashtra
on this battlefield
should strike down and kill
that fate
for me
far more auspicious and blessed
would truly be
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
This is the most extreme expression of his refusal within the battlefield scene. It is a character's conclusion in acute moral distress, not guidance to seek death, abandon personal safety, or treat non-resistance as a rule for every situation.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Arjuna would rather be killed than participate in the killing he now rejects."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Who can help me think through a choice that currently feels unbearable?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Passive Resignation and Learned Helplessness: Arjuna states he would rather stand unarmed and be slain by the Kauravas. When acute despair strikes, high achievers often collapse into fatalism and learned helplessness rather than facing constructive action.