Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.6
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(Arjuna said)
न चैतद्विद्मः कतरन्नो गरीयो यद्वा जयेम यदि वा नो जयेयुः । यानेव हत्वा न जिजीविषामस्तेऽवस्थिताः प्रमुखे धार्तराष्ट्राः ॥६॥
na caitadvidmaḥ kataranno garīyo yadvā jayema yadi vā no jayeyuḥ | yāneva hatvā na jijīviṣāmaste'vasthitāḥ pramukhe dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ ||6||
Complete Shloka Translation
We do not know which is better: that we conquer them or they conquer us. Dhritarashtra's sons, whom we would not wish to survive after killing, stand before us.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| गरीयः | garīyaḥ | more worthy or better |
| जयेम | jayema | we might conquer |
| चैतद्विद्मः | na | [term] in context of We do not know which is better... |
| कतरन्नो | caitadvidmaḥ | [term] in context of We do not know which is better... |
| गरीयो | kataranno | [term] in context of We do not know which is better... |
| यद्वा | garīyo | [term] in context of We do not know which is better... |
| यदि | jayema | [term] in context of We do not know which is better... |
| वा | yadi | [term] in context of We do not know which is better... |
| नो | vā | [term] in context of We do not know which is better... |
| जयेयुः | no | [term] in context of We do not know which is better... |
| यानेव | jayeyuḥ | [term] in context of We do not know which is better... |
| हत्वा | yāneva | [term] in context of We do not know which is better... |
| जिजीविषामस्तेऽवस्थिताः | hatvā | [term] in context of We do not know which is better... |
| प्रमुखे | na | [term] in context of We do not know which is better... |
| धार्तराष्ट्राः | jijīviṣāmaste'vasthitāḥ | [term] in context of We do not know which is better... |
more worthy or better
we might conquer
[term] in context of We do not know which is better...
[term] in context of We do not know which is better...
[term] in context of We do not know which is better...
[term] in context of We do not know which is better...
[term] in context of We do not know which is better...
[term] in context of We do not know which is better...
[term] in context of We do not know which is better...
[term] in context of We do not know which is better...
[term] in context of We do not know which is better...
[term] in context of We do not know which is better...
[term] in context of We do not know which is better...
[term] in context of We do not know which is better...
[term] in context of We do not know which is better...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Military success and personal well-being have separated in Arjuna's reasoning. His uncertainty prepares the admission that he needs guidance about dharma.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Neither possible outcome gives Arjuna a clear moral answer."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
When is choosing between outcomes insufficient to resolve a moral question?
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.