Chapter 2, Sloka 1. Bhagavad Gita – Meaning, Translation and Interpretation

Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga, Sloka: 1

Sri Bhagavaan Uvaacha:
‘Kutastwaa kashmalam idam vishame samupasthitam;
Anaaryajushtam aswargyam akeertikaram arjuna.’

The Blessed Lord said:
‘Whence is this perilous strait come upon thee, this dejection which is unworthy of thee, disgraceful, and which will close the gates of heaven upon thee, O Arjuna?’

Interpretation

This sloka is the beginning of the 2nd chapter of the 18 chapters of Mahabharata. The first chapter was concentrated on the mindset of Arjuna in fighting the war. Whereas the 2nd chapter opens with Lord Krishna replying to Arjuna. The sentence with which he starts itself is so powerful that it pierces through the mind of Arjuna and makes him to take notice of it seriously and focus on what Lord Krishna said. Krishna’s opening remark was “how can you even think of such things Arjuna? The problems that you are quoting, the dejection that you are expressing is disgraceful. It makes you unworthy and such a kind of person can never expect the doors of heaven to open for him. The remarks in a way have shocked Arjuna.

Extending Interpretation to Mankind’s life!

The worst thing a person can do to himself is “self-degradation”. I will tell you today, what exactly is self-degradation. Anyone who can’t stand up for himself or his beliefs has self-degraded himself. According to Gita soul is the highest entity for any individual. Whenever you deceive your soul, you are self-degrading yourself. Self-degradation is neglecting your responsibilities and interfering in other’s responsibilities. Self-degradation is not just hurting one’s soul it is also degrading one’s soul. When you do not do your dharma, and find excuses in others, that is also self-degradation. So, self-degradation happens in many ways and many forms.

Here in Gita, Arjuna shying away from his responsibilities and had taken refuge in emotions and relationships. Arjuna was aghast at Krishna’s response. He was expecting Krishna to side him, but the criticism had surprised him. Next sloka will continue the response of Krishna, which we will talk about, tomorrow.

Till then…..

“SARVE JANA SUKHINO BHAVANTU
SARVE SANTU NIRAAMAYA
SARVE BHADRANI PASHYANTU
MA KASCHITH DUKHA MAPNIYA”

“MAY ALL BECOME HAPPY,
MAY ALL BE FREE FROM ILLNESS,
MAY ALL SEE WHAT IS AUSPICIOUS,
MAY NO ONE SUFFER”

 

Published by Sriram

A Teacher trying to Learn new things and explore the world each day! Believe in Happiness by the virtue of sacrifice and forgiveness.

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