Verse 4
Arjuna uvāca:
Kathaṁ bhīṣmam ahaṁ saṅkhye droṇaṁ ca madhusūdana
Iṣubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi pūjārhāv ari-sūdana
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- Arjuna uvāca — Arjuna said
- Katham — How
- Bhīṣmam — (to) Bhishma
- Aham — I
- Saṅkhye — In battle
- Droṇam — (to) Drona
- Ca — And
- Madhusūdana — O slayer of the demon Madhu (Krishna)
- Iṣubhiḥ — With arrows
- Pratiyotsyāmi — Shall I fight against / engage in battle
- Pūjārhau — Worthy of worship
- Ari-sūdana — O destroyer of enemies
O Madhusūdana, how can I fight with arrows against Bhishma and Drona in battle—those who are worthy of my reverence, O destroyer of enemies?
Expanded Meaning:
Arjuna, in this verse, expresses deep moral and emotional anguish. He is not afraid of dying, but is torn at the thought of raising weapons against his beloved elders and gurus—Bhishma (his grandsire) and Drona (his teacher).
He addresses Krishna with reverent epithets—Madhusūdana and Ari-sūdana—suggesting that Krishna, the destroyer of evil, might understand the pain of turning against revered ones.
This shows Arjuna’s internal conflict between Kṣatriya dharma (duty as a warrior) and Guru-Bhakti (devotion to one’s teacher and elders).
Contextual Analysis:
- Bhīṣmam & Droṇam — The Pillars of Arjuna’s Life
Bhishma, the grandsire, and Drona, Arjuna’s military guru, represent not just authority but emotional anchors.
Fighting them is not just a strategic dilemma—it’s a crisis of conscience. - Pūjārhau — Worthy of Worship
Arjuna’s respect is so deep that he equates them with divine figures, placing them above and beyond the battlefield. - Iṣubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi — To Fight With Arrows
The use of this phrase shows the violence of the act. Arjuna is horrified at the idea of drawing blood from those he once bowed to. - Madhusūdana / Ari-sūdana — Krishna, the Slayer of Evil
Arjuna subtly asks: You have killed demons for justice—can I kill my elders for the same cause?
This contrast exposes Arjuna’s confusion about who is truly “evil” and what constitutes righteousness.
Philosophical Interpretation:
- Conflict Between Dharma and Emotion
The verse explores the gray area between right action and emotional resistance.
Is dharma only about rules—or also about honoring our feelings? - Reverence vs. Righteousness
The verse raises a key dilemma: Can one uphold righteousness if it means opposing those we revere?
True dharma sometimes requires painful choices that transcend personal attachments. - The Role of Attachment in Ethical Paralysis
Arjuna’s hesitation reflects how personal bonds can cloud spiritual clarity.
Even justified action feels wrong when the heart is bound by attachment (moha). - Guru as a Symbol of the Inner Guide
Drona represents more than a physical teacher—he is symbolic of inner wisdom.
The real battle is not against the guru but against the false notions of duty and fear that obstruct truth.
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Inner Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bhīṣma | Symbol of righteous but rigid tradition / authority |
| Droṇa | Symbol of knowledge and ego attached to personal loyalty |
| Pūjārhau | Inner values and ideals one holds sacred |
| Iṣubhiḥ (Arrows) | Actions or decisions with power to harm or liberate |
| Madhusūdana | Krishna as destroyer of ignorance (Madhu = desire/darkness) |
Modern-Day Relevance:
- In life, we often face situations where we must choose between truth and loyalty, between what is right and what is comfortable.
- For example:
- Standing against unjust practices upheld by elders or leaders.
- Making ethical choices that disappoint loved ones.
- Like Arjuna, we may feel paralyzed by respect, nostalgia, and emotional ties.
- This verse asks: Can you rise above personal discomfort for the sake of a higher cause?
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever hesitated to act rightly because it would hurt or oppose someone you deeply respect?What beliefs or relationships do you consider “pūjārhau” (worthy of reverence)?
How do you reconcile love and duty in times of moral conflict?
Can spiritual clarity exist alongside emotional pain?
Conclusion:
In this poignant verse, Arjuna lays bare the human side of dharma—where action is not merely about principles, but about hearts that tremble when love and duty collide.
His question is not weak—it is deeply philosophical:
“What is the cost of dharma, and must I pay it in the currency of reverence?”
Krishna, in the coming verses, will help Arjuna (and all of us) transcend the paralysis of sentiment and rise into the clarity of selfless action.