Verse 9
Sañjaya uvāca
evam uktvā hṛṣīkeśaṁ guḍākeśaḥ parantapa
na yotsya iti govindam uktvā tūṣṇīṁ babhūva ha
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- Sañjaya uvāca — Sañjaya said
- Evam uktvā — Thus having spoken
- Hṛṣīkeśam — To Hṛṣīkeśa (Krishna, Lord of the senses)
- Guḍākeśaḥ — Arjuna (conqueror of sleep)
- Parantapa — Scorcher of enemies
- Na yotsye — I will not fight
- Iti — Thus
- Govindam — To Govinda (protector of the cows, another name of Krishna)
- Uktvā — Having spoken
- Tūṣṇīm babhūva ha — Became silent
Sañjaya said: Having spoken thus to Hṛṣīkeśa (Krishna), Arjuna, the conqueror of sleep and the scorcher of enemies, declared, “I will not fight,” and then became silent.
Expanded Meaning:
This verse marks a pause in Arjuna’s inner battle. After a storm of emotions, doubts, and despair, he draws a line: “I shall not fight.” His words are final—for now—and silence follows.
It is not resignation but a turning point, as he has now surrendered his will, opening the door to receive true guidance.
Contextual Analysis:
- Guḍākeśaḥ — The Conqueror of Sleep
Arjuna, once disciplined and spiritually alert (symbolized by victory over sleep/ignorance), is now overtaken by a deeper form of unconsciousness: confusion about dharma. - Na yotsya iti — I Will Not Fight
This is Arjuna’s temporary conclusion. It’s not just a statement of intent, but a declaration of helplessness, arising from moral and emotional exhaustion. - Tūṣṇīm babhūva — He Became Silent
Arjuna’s silence is significant. It represents the exhaustion of the ego’s arguments. In Vedic tradition, such silence is fertile — it precedes the arrival of divine knowledge.
Philosophical Interpretation:
- Surrender Before Instruction
The disciple must first empty his cup. Arjuna’s silence is the moment of surrender, creating space for Krishna to begin his divine teachings. - Guḍākeśa in Silence
The one who conquered sleep is now conquered by sorrow. His silence is not sleep, but a pause for inner awakening. - Krishna’s Names: Hṛṣīkeśa and Govinda
Arjuna appeals to Krishna not just as a friend, but in his divine roles:- Hṛṣīkeśa — Lord of the senses, controller of mind and emotion
- Govinda — Protector and nourisher of beings
This indicates that Arjuna subconsciously seeks divine help, though he does not yet know how.
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Inner Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guḍākeśaḥ | One who has mastered spiritual discipline |
| Na yotsya iti | Refusal to act from egoic understanding |
| Tūṣṇīm babhūva | Surrender, receptivity, the stillness before transformation |
| Hṛṣīkeśa | Divine control over the senses and mind |
| Govinda | The divine who tends to the soul like a cowherd to cows |
Modern-Day Relevance:
We all experience moments when logic fails, and emotion takes over, leading us to a place where we fall silent, unsure of what to do next.
- When words exhaust, the soul begins to listen.
- Many people today, facing career, family, or moral crises, experience this “Arjuna moment” — a standstill.
- The verse reminds us that before true wisdom can enter, we must first acknowledge our ignorance.
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you chose silence over action?
What inner battle has brought you to a moment of pause or surrender?
Are you, like Arjuna, ready to listen deeply to the voice of truth within or from a higher guide?
What does silence mean to you — defeat, or readiness to transform?
Conclusion:
This verse is more powerful than it first appears. Arjuna — a mighty warrior, conqueror of sleep, a terror to enemies — now lays down his arms and his words. He does not merely give up the fight; he gives up control.
In that vulnerable silence lies the true beginning of the Gita’s wisdom. It is in silence, not speech, that the seed of transformation is planted.
From this moment, the divine dialogue begins — not between two warriors, but between the seeking soul and the eternal guide.