Chapter 1, Verse 47
सञ्जय उवाच |
एवमुक्त्वार्जुन: सङ्ख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् |
विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानस: ॥ 47 ॥
sañjaya uvāca |
evam uktvārjunaḥ saṅkhye rathopastha upāviśat |
visṛjya sa-śaraṁ cāpaṁ śoka-saṁvigna-mānasaḥ ||
"Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus, Arjuna sat down on the chariot seat in the midst of the battlefield, casting aside his bow and arrows, his mind overwhelmed with grief."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 1.47 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 1.47 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
This verse marks the physical and emotional collapse of Arjuna. The term 'rathopastha upāviśat' signifies a total surrender to despair—a warrior who should be standing ready is now slumped in his seat. This 'visṛjya' (casting aside) of his weapons symbolizes the abandonment of his Dharma (duty). Philosophically, this represents the 'dark night of the soul' or the peak of human 'Moha' (delusion) which is necessary before one becomes a 'Shishya' (disciple) and receives transcendental knowledge. Arjuna’s grief is not spiritual; it is 'shoka-samvigna-manasah'—a mind agitated by material attachment disguised as compassion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 1.47?
Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus, Arjuna sat down on the chariot seat in the midst of the battlefield, casting aside his bow and arrows, his mind overwhelmed with grief.