Verse 1
Sañjaya uvāca
Taṁ tathā kṛipayā āviṣṭam aśru-pūrṇa-akula-īkṣaṇam
Viṣīdantam idaṁ vākyam uvāca Madhusūdanaḥ
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- Sañjayaḥ uvāca — Sañjaya said
- Tam — To him (Arjuna)
- Tathā — In that condition / Thus
- Kṛipayā āviṣṭam — Overwhelmed by compassion
- Aśru-pūrṇa-akula-īkṣaṇam — Eyes filled with tears and restless/confused
- Viṣīdantam — Grieving / Sorrowful
- Idam vākyam — These words
- Uvāca — Spoke
- Madhusūdanaḥ — Krishna, the slayer of the demon Madhu (a name of Vishnu)
Sañjaya said: Seeing Arjuna thus overwhelmed with compassion, with sorrowful and tear-filled, bewildered eyes, Madhusūdana (Krishna) spoke the following words.
Expanded Meaning:
This verse transitions us into Chapter 2 – Sāṅkhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge), marking the divine intervention of Krishna in Arjuna’s moral and emotional breakdown.
Sañjaya, the seer-narrator, describes Arjuna’s state not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Krishna now prepares to speak — his teachings are not random lectures, but timely responses to a heart drowning in sorrow and confusion.
Contextual Analysis:
- Kṛipayā āviṣṭam — Overcome with Compassion
Arjuna’s grief is not rooted in cowardice or selfishness but deep empathy — he does not want to kill his relatives, gurus, and friends. But this compassion, though noble, has rendered him immobile, unable to act. - Aśru-pūrṇa-akula-īkṣaṇam — Eyes Full of Tears, Restless Gaze
His eyes are clouded by tears, and his vision (both literal and metaphorical) is confused. “Akula” suggests unsettled, chaotic, showing the disturbance of his inner self. - Viṣīdantam — Drowning in Sorrow
The grief is now overwhelming Arjuna’s mind — he is sinking, and Krishna can no longer remain silent. - Madhusūdanaḥ — Krishna the Demon-Slayer
This is significant: the name “Madhusūdana” implies Krishna as the destroyer of inner demons — in this context, the demons of delusion, despair, and moral paralysis that grip Arjuna.
Philosophical Interpretation:
- Compassion Alone is Not Enough
While compassion (kṛipā) is a virtue, when it leads to inaction in the face of duty, it can become moha (delusion). Krishna will guide Arjuna to transform emotional compassion into dharmic wisdom. - Spiritual Blindness Before Vision
Arjuna’s tear-filled eyes represent the veil of ignorance. Before divine vision (divya cakṣu) is granted by Krishna, the soul must first acknowledge that its current perception is clouded. - The Beginning of Divine Dialogue
This is the turning point: Arjuna’s human sorrow invites divine wisdom. The very act of despair opens the door to transformation. Krishna now begins his role as Jagadguru (teacher of the universe).
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Inner Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aśru-pūrṇa-akula-īkṣaṇam | The blurred vision of ego and attachment |
| Kṛipayā āviṣṭam | Compassion mixed with weakness, rooted in attachment |
| Viṣīdantam | The soul lost in grief, away from dharma |
| Madhusūdanaḥ | Divine force that removes inner darkness and confusion |
| Sañjaya | The awakened witness within, reporting the inner transformation |
Modern-Day Relevance:
- How many times have we been paralyzed by overthinking, even when our intentions are pure?
- Compassion today often becomes a reason to avoid responsibility — whether in families, politics, or careers.
- This verse reminds us that being emotional isn’t wrong, but it must lead to clarity and transformation, not inertia.
- Krishna as “Madhusūdana” is a powerful inner symbol — the higher self that steps in when our lower self is drowning.
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever experienced a moment where your emotions clouded your ability to act wisely?
What do your “tear-filled eyes” symbolize in your current life — what are you unable to see clearly?
Do you wait for your inner Madhusūdana to speak — or are you lost in sorrow without listening?
How can compassion be balanced with wisdom and action?
Conclusion:
This verse is the pivot from despair to discourse, from human sorrow to divine wisdom. Arjuna’s pain has reached its peak — and now, Krishna begins his reply.
The true dialogue of the Gita starts not in strength, but in weakness.
And that’s its timeless beauty — it assures us that even in our lowest emotional states, the Divine stands ready to speak — not to shame, but to uplift, illuminate, and liberate.
In the battlefield of life, when the soul weeps and the heart trembles, the higher voice within — our own Krishna — begins to whisper:
“Why this despair, O warrior?”