Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.4
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(Arjuna said)
कथं भीष्ममहं सङ्ख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन । इषुभिः प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन ॥४॥
kathaṃ bhīṣmamahaṃ saṅkhye droṇaṃ ca madhusūdana | iṣubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi pūjārhāvarisūdana ||4||
Complete Shloka Translation
Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how can I fight Bhishma and Drona with arrows in battle? Both deserve my reverence, destroyer of enemies.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| पूजार्हौ | pūjārhau | the two worthy of reverence |
| इषुभिः | iṣubhiḥ | with arrows |
| कथं | kathaṃ | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ... |
| भीष्ममहं | bhīṣmamahaṃ | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ... |
| सङ्ख्ये | saṅkhye | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ... |
| द्रोणं | droṇaṃ | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ... |
| मधुसूदन | ca | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ... |
| प्रतियोत्स्यामि | iṣubhiḥ | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ... |
| पूजार्हावरिसूदन | pratiyotsyāmi | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ... |
the two worthy of reverence
with arrows
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Madhusudana, how ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Calling Krishna destroyer of enemies sharpens the contrast: Arjuna sees teachers where the battlefield demands opponents. Respect and role obligations now collide.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Arjuna's hesitation concerns people he honours, not merely fear of battle."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How do you respond when respect and responsibility pull in different directions?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse when facing identity crisis or fear of failure: distinguish the unchanging inner self from transient life situations, and act with full dedication without anxiety over the final outcome.