Verse 47
Sañjaya uvāca
Evam uktvā arjunaḥ saṅkhye rathopasthe upāviśat
Visṛjya sa-śaraṁ cāpaṁ śoka-saṁvigna-mānasaḥ
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- Sañjayaḥ uvāca — Sañjaya said
- Evam uktvā — Thus speaking / Having said this
- Arjunaḥ — Arjuna
- Saṅkhye — On the battlefield / In the war-field
- Ratha-upasthe — On the seat of the chariot
- Upāviśat — Sat down
- Visṛjya — Casting away / Letting go
- Sa-śaram — Along with arrows
- Cāpam — The bow
- Śoka-saṁvigna-mānasaḥ — His mind overwhelmed with sorrow
Sañjaya said: Thus, having spoken, Arjuna cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the seat of the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with sorrow.
Expanded Meaning:
This verse concludes Chapter 1 – Arjuna Viṣāda Yoga (The Yoga of Arjuna’s Despondency). Sañjaya, the narrator, describes the emotional and physical breakdown of Arjuna, a mighty warrior, who now sits motionless, his spirit crushed under the weight of grief and confusion.
By casting away his bow and arrows, Arjuna symbolically renounces his warrior duty (kṣatriya-dharma). The image is vivid: a battlefield prepared for war, and in the middle of it, a heroic prince sitting helpless, lost in sorrow.
Contextual Analysis:
- Evam uktvā — Having Said This
Arjuna has just finished his emotional outpouring (verses 28–46), listing reasons for not fighting — from compassion and morality to social and spiritual consequences. - Rathopasthe upāviśat — Sat on the Chariot’s Seat
The warrior who once stood confidently, ready for battle, now collapses inward. His body sits, but his spirit retreats. The posture reflects defeat not by the enemy, but by inner turmoil. - Visṛjya sa-śaraṁ cāpam — Letting Go of Bow and Arrows
This moment marks a symbolic surrender — Arjuna’s renunciation of his identity as a warrior. He drops not only weapons but the very will to act. - Śoka-saṁvigna-mānasaḥ — Mind Shaken by Grief
This is the emotional culmination: Arjuna is entirely overcome by śoka (grief), a form of tamas (inertia). His mānasaḥ (mind) is disturbed, clouded, and paralyzed.
Philosophical Interpretation:
- From Warrior to Seeker
Arjuna’s collapse, though seemingly a failure, is in fact the beginning of spiritual inquiry. Only when the ego breaks down does true wisdom seek to arise. His sorrow becomes the womb of transformation. - The Human Crisis
Arjuna represents the universal human — torn between duty and emotion, between identity and inner truth. His despair mirrors the existential crisis faced by anyone questioning the meaning of action, violence, or purpose. - Sorrow as a Catalyst
In Vedantic tradition, śoka (sorrow) is often the first spark on the path to liberation. As seen in the Upaniṣads, students often approach the guru in sorrow — ready to be taught. - Letting Go — A Spiritual Gesture
Arjuna’s act of visṛjya (letting go) is significant. Surrender is the first step on the path of bhakti and jñāna. He is now open to receiving higher wisdom — the teachings of Lord Krishna in the coming chapters.
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Inner Meaning |
|---|---|
| Arjuna | The seeker, the soul in conflict |
| Bow and arrows | Ego-based action, the will to control through force |
| Rathopasthe upāviśat | Sinking inward, introspection, surrender |
| Śoka-saṁvigna-mānasaḥ | The beginning of inner purification through emotional breakdown |
| Battlefield | Life itself — filled with conflict, choice, and transformation |
Modern-Day Relevance:
This verse is a mirror for those experiencing burnout, grief, anxiety, or moral paralysis:
- It’s okay to put down your “weapons” — your ambitions, your roles, your identities — when you feel lost.
- Sitting with sorrow, rather than suppressing it, can lead to deeper self-understanding.
- Like Arjuna, many today face emotional overwhelm in the face of duty — whether it’s family, career, or societal roles.
- This verse teaches that collapse isn’t the end — it’s often the beginning of spiritual rebirth.
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever experienced a moment where you had to “let go” of something you once identified with?
Do you allow yourself to sit with sorrow, or do you rush to action?
What “weapons” or roles are you currently carrying that no longer serve your higher self?
Are you ready, like Arjuna, to listen — not just to others, but to your inner teacher?
Conclusion:
This verse sets the emotional and spiritual stage for the Bhagavad Gita’s true beginning. Arjuna’s crisis is not a sign of weakness but a divine turning point. In his silent collapse, he makes space for Krishna to speak — and for the world to receive the eternal wisdom of the Gita.
In modern terms, this is the moment of pause before awakening. A necessary silence before the higher voice of dharma and truth can arise.
The warrior sits. The disciple is born. The Gita is about to begin.