Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.47
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Sanjaya said)
एवमुक्त्वार्जुनः सङ्ख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् । विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः ॥४७॥
evamuktvārjunaḥ saṅkhye rathopastha upāviśat | visṛjya saśaraṃ cāpaṃ śokasaṃvignamānasaḥ ||47||
Complete Shloka Translation
Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus on the battlefield, Arjuna sat down in the chariot, putting aside his bow and arrows, his mind overwhelmed by grief.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| एवम् | evam | thus |
| उक्त्वा | uktvā | having lamented and spoken |
| अर्जुनः | arjunaḥ | Arjuna |
| सङ्ख्ये | saṅkhye | on the battlefield |
| रथोपस्थे | ratha-upasthe | upon the floor of the chariot |
| उपाविशत् | upāviśat | sat down collapsed |
| विसृज्य | visṛjya | casting aside / dropping |
| सशरम् | sa-śaram | along with deadly arrows |
| चापम् | cāpam | the Gandiva bow |
| शोकसंविग्नमानसः | śoka-saṃvigna-mānasaḥ | his mind utterly convulsed and paralyzed by sorrow |
thus
having lamented and spoken
Arjuna
on the battlefield
upon the floor of the chariot
sat down collapsed
casting aside / dropping
along with deadly arrows
the Gandiva bow
his mind utterly convulsed and paralyzed by sorrow
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The bow put aside reverses the readiness described in verse 1.20. The chapter closes with the crisis still unresolved, creating the need for the dialogue that follows rather than presenting grief itself as the final answer.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Arjuna's inner conflict ends this chapter as a visible withdrawal from action."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What honest conversation could begin when I admit I do not know how to proceed?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Reaching the Breaking Point to Enable Genuine Transformation: Arjuna puts down his bow and sits weeping in his chariot. Sometimes, a total collapse of ego and self-sufficiency is necessary before a person is finally ready to listen to higher wisdom and true spiritual guidance.