Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga - The Yoga of KnowledgeArjuna
Verse 4
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 2, श्लोक 4
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
कथं भीष्ममहं सङ्ख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन।
इषुभिः प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन॥४॥
Transliteration
Katham Bhishmam-Aham Sankhye Dronam Cha Madhusudana.
Ishubhih Pratiyotsyami Puja-Arhav-Arisudana.||4||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
कथम्kathamhow
भीष्मम्bhishmamBhishma
अहम्ahamI
सङ्ख्येsankhyein battle
द्रोणम्dronamDrona
इषुभिःishubhihwith arrows
प्रतियोत्स्यामिpratiyotsyamishall I fight against
पूजार्हौpuja-arhauworthy of worship
अरिसूदनarisudanaO destroyer of enemies
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
अर्जुन ने कहा — हे मधुसूदन! मैं युद्ध में भीष्म और द्रोण के विरुद्ध बाणों से कैसे लडूँ? हे अरिसूदन! वे दोनों तो पूजनीय हैं।
English Translation
Arjuna said: O Madhusudana, how can I fight with arrows in battle against Bhishma and Drona? O destroyer of enemies, they are worthy of my worship.
Commentary (टीका)
Arjuna raises a specific moral dilemma — fighting one's teachers and elders who deserve reverence, not arrows. This is a genuine ethical question in Indian culture where the guru-shishya relationship is sacred. Krishna will address this by revealing a higher dharma that transcends personal relationships.