Bhagavad Gita · Sankhya YogaChapter 2, Shloka 4 (2.4)
Original Sanskrit · अर्जुनः
अर्जुन उवाच
कथं भीष्ममहं सङ्ख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन
इषुभिः प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन
॥ 2.4 ॥
kathaṃ bhīṣmamahaṃ saṅkhye droṇaṃ ca madhusūdana
iṣubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi pūjārhāvarisūdana
Translation
"Arjuna said: O Madhusudana! How shall I fight Bhishma and Drona in battle with arrows? O Arisudana! Both of them are worthy of worship."
Interpretation
Rejecting the charge of cowardice. Arjuna answers Krishna's accusation of "klaibya" directly: my question is not one of fear but of reverence. Bhishma — in whose lap Arjuna played; Drona — who taught him archery. They are pūjārhau — worthy of worship.
"Iṣubhiḥ" — with arrows. Shridhara makes a subtle point: with those to whom it would be improper even to say in words "I will fight", how can I fight with arrows? That is, even harsh words towards those worthy of worship are improper — weapons are out of the question.
Two names — an irony. Arjuna calls Krishna Madhusūdana (slayer of the asura Madhu) and Arisūdana (slayer of enemies). Arjuna is probably saying: "You killed demons and enemies — but these are my teacher and my grandsire." Many teachers read this comparison; it is an interpretation.
Arjuna turns back to argument. In 1.28–1.46 Arjuna had given arguments about family and society. Now the argument is personal — my teacher, my grandsire. This is the most painful form of this dilemma.
AI-assisted draft translation — under review.