Verse 7
Kārpaṇya-doṣopahata-svabhāvaḥ
pṛcchāmi tvām dharma-sammūḍha-cetāḥ
yac chreyaḥ syān niścitaṁ brūhi tan me
śiṣyas te ’haṁ śādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- Kārpaṇya-doṣa — The defect of miserliness (mental weakness, self-pity)
- Upahata — Afflicted / Overpowered
- Svabhāvaḥ — Nature / Disposition
- Pṛcchāmi — I ask / I inquire
- Tvām — You (Krishna)
- Dharma-sammūḍha-cetāḥ — My mind is confused regarding dharma (righteous duty)
- Yat — That which
- Śreyaḥ — Is truly beneficial / Conducive to ultimate good
- Syāt — May be
- Niścitam — Certain / Definitive
- Brūhi — Tell / Speak
- Tat me — That (to) me
- Śiṣyaḥ te aham — I am your disciple
- Śādhi — Instruct / Guide
- Mām — Me
- Tvām prapannam — I surrender to you
My nature is overwhelmed by weakness and self-pity; my mind is utterly confused about my duty (dharma). I ask you — tell me what is truly good for me. I am your disciple, surrendered to you. Please instruct me.
Expanded Meaning:
In this moment of humility and desperation, Arjuna drops all pretense of self-sufficiency. He admits that his natural strength has been compromised by the defect of kārpaṇya — a kind of mental miserliness or helpless despair.
He acknowledges his inability to discern right from wrong and surrenders his ego, asking Krishna to guide him as a true disciple.
Contextual Analysis:
- From Confusion to Surrender
Until this verse, Arjuna was voicing arguments and doubts, still speaking as a warrior and friend. But here, he takes a turn inward and upward — from dialogue to discipleship. - Dharma-Sammūḍha-Cetāḥ — Mind Confused about Dharma
Arjuna’s inner clarity is lost. He knows he must act but does not know how to act rightly. His intellect is clouded by emotion, fear, and attachment. - Shreyaḥ vs Preyaḥ
The word śreyaḥ refers to that which is ultimately good (liberating, dharmic), as opposed to preyaḥ, which is pleasing or immediately gratifying. Arjuna seeks lasting wisdom, not emotional comfort.
Philosophical Interpretation:
- True Beginning of Spiritual Life
The Guru–Shishya relationship begins here. The Gita truly starts at this verse, where Arjuna admits he doesn’t know, and submits himself to a higher wisdom. - Kārpaṇya-doṣa — The Disease of Spiritual Weakness
Miserliness here doesn’t mean material stinginess but withholding one’s own courage, power, and higher nature. Arjuna, overwhelmed by grief and fear, has lost faith in his dharma. - Surrender (Prapatti)
This is a key principle of Bhakti Yoga and Vedanta. By surrendering ego and control, the seeker opens up to receive divine instruction and grace.
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Inner Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kārpaṇya-doṣa | Self-defeating attitude / Emotional poverty / Spiritual weakness |
| Dharma-sammūḍha | Lost sense of purpose / Clouded moral compass |
| Śiṣya | Seeker of truth, willing to learn and be corrected |
| Prapannam | Complete surrender to divine will / Openness to transformation |
| Krishna as Guru | Divine wisdom guiding the confused soul toward liberation |
Modern-Day Relevance:
This verse resonates with anyone who:
- Is confused by a moral dilemma and feels stuck
- Recognizes that logic and emotions are not enough to find clarity
- Is willing to seek mentorship, guidance, or spiritual insight
- Realizes that true strength is in surrender, not stubborn independence
In modern life, many experience decision paralysis, emotional overwhelm, and existential dread. This verse teaches us that clarity begins when the ego bows down to truth.
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever been overwhelmed by your emotions to the point of inaction?
What does “surrender” mean to you — weakness, or wisdom?
Who is your “Krishna” — the guiding voice you trust when confused?
Are you open to becoming a student again, to receive deeper truths?
Conclusion:
This is a turning point in the Gita. Arjuna lays down his arms not in defeat, but in spiritual humility. He transforms from a warrior driven by conflict to a disciple seeking truth.
By declaring, “I am your disciple, instruct me,” he opens himself to the timeless wisdom that follows — the core teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
His vulnerability becomes his strength. His surrender becomes his liberation.