Verse 6
Na caitad vidmaḥ kataran no garīyo
yad vā jayema yadi vā no jayeyuḥ
yān eva hatvā na jijīviṣāmaḥ
te ‘vasthitāḥ pramukhe dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- Na — Not
- Ca — And
- Etat — This
- Vidmaḥ — We know
- Kataraṁ — Which
- Naḥ — For us
- Garīyaḥ — Better / Superior
- Yat vā — Whether
- Jayema — We conquer
- Yadi vā — Or whether
- Naḥ jayeyuḥ — They conquer us
- Yān eva — Those very ones
- Hatvā — Having killed
- Na jijīviṣāmaḥ — Do not wish to live
- Te — They
- Avasthitāḥ — Are situated / Standing
- Pramukhe — Before us / In front
- Dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ — The sons of Dhritarashtra (Kauravas)
Nor do we know which is better for us — whether we should conquer them or they should conquer us. Those very sons of Dhritarashtra, having slain whom we do not wish to live, are standing before us in battle.
Expanded Meaning:
This verse captures the depth of Arjuna’s despair and confusion. He confesses that he cannot even discern what is right or beneficial anymore — whether winning or losing would be the nobler path.
The paradox is profound: the very people whom Arjuna must kill to win the war are so dear and respected that he feels no desire to live if they are slain.
Contextual Analysis:
- Ethical Paralysis
Arjuna is caught in a complete moral breakdown, where victory and defeat have both lost their meaning. - Jijīviṣāmaḥ — “We do not wish to live”
This isn’t just sadness; it’s a rejection of any gain bought with blood. Arjuna’s vision of life post-battle is hollow if it means killing his kin. - Dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ as Symbols
Though Duryodhana and his brothers are the antagonists, Arjuna still sees them as family and companions, not enemies. The war has blurred relational and moral lines. - Pramukhe Avasthitāḥ — Standing Right Before Us
The physical confrontation in the battlefield is symbolic of the spiritual confrontation Arjuna faces within.
Philosophical Interpretation:
- Loss of Dharma Clarity
A key feature of inner crisis is when even dharma becomes unclear. Arjuna is not afraid of dying — he is afraid of living wrongly. - Suffering from Attachment
The verse is an expression of Moha (delusion) — one of the key reasons Krishna offers the Yoga of Knowledge (Jnana Yoga) to lift Arjuna out of this fog. - Conflict of Relative Morality
Arjuna’s vision of justice is relational and emotional, not cosmic or impersonal. Krishna will soon correct this, helping him see beyond personal ties.
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Inner Meaning |
|---|---|
| Victory/Defeat | Illusion of gain/loss in the material world |
| Na vidmaḥ | Symbol of confusion due to attachment and loss of higher perspective |
| Dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ | Represent egoic attachments, desires, and psychological bonds |
| Jijīviṣāmaḥ | True life must be in alignment with dharma, not mere biological survival |
Modern-Day Relevance:
This verse mirrors real-life moral crises where:
- We’re forced to make decisions involving people we care about.
- We fear that winning might cost us our inner peace.
- We’re stuck in dilemmas where right and wrong both look painful.
Examples:
- A whistleblower torn between truth and loyalty to friends.
- A family dispute where asserting justice may break relationships.
- Choosing between career success and ethical compromise.
Reflection Questions:
Have you faced situations where victory or success felt like a loss?
Can you distinguish your personal attachments from your higher responsibilities?
What does “not wishing to live” mean here — is it a physical or spiritual disillusionment?
Are you ready to accept uncomfortable truths if they align with dharma?
Conclusion:
This verse is a climactic moment of inner collapse. Arjuna’s entire framework — built on love, honor, tradition, and personal relationships — is crumbling under the weight of duty.
Krishna will not dismiss Arjuna’s grief but will transform it into wisdom. But before that can happen, Arjuna must fully express this human vulnerability — which makes this verse so deeply relatable and timeless.
His uncertainty is our uncertainty. His moral pain is the starting point of spiritual awakening.