Chapter 1 · Arjuna Vishada Yoga - The Yoga of Arjuna's DespondencyArjuna
Verse 46
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 1, श्लोक 46
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः।
धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत्॥४६॥
Transliteration
Yadi Mam-Apratikaram-Ashastram Shastra-Panayah.
Dhartarashtra Rane Hanyus-Tan-Me Kshemataram Bhavet.||46||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
यदिyadiif
माम्mamme
अप्रतीकारम्apratikaramunresisting
अशस्त्रम्ashastramunarmed
शस्त्रपाणयःshastra-panayahwith weapons in hand
धार्तराष्ट्राःdhartarashtrahsons of Dhritarashtra
रणेranein battle
हन्युःhanyuhwere to kill
तत्tatthat
मेmefor me
क्षेमतरम्kshematarambetter/more peaceful
भवेत्bhavetwould be
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
यदि शस्त्र हाथ में लिए हुए धृतराष्ट्र के पुत्र युद्ध में मुझ निहत्थे और प्रतिकार न करने वाले को मार दें, तो वह मेरे लिए अधिक कल्याणकारी होगा।
English Translation
If the sons of Dhritarashtra, weapons in hand, were to kill me in battle — unarmed and unresisting — that would be better for me.
Commentary (टीका)
This is the climax of Arjuna's despair. He would rather die unarmed than fight. For a Kshatriya, this is the ultimate renunciation — choosing death over the warrior's duty. This extreme position reveals how completely Arjuna's emotional crisis has overwhelmed his sense of dharma.