अर्जुन उवाचज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन ।
तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव ॥
तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
अर्जुन बोले हे जनार्दन अगर आप कर्मसे बुद्धि ज्ञान को श्रेष्ठ मानते हैं, तो फिर हे केशव मुझे घोर कर्ममें क्यों लगाते हैं आप अपने मिले हुएसे वचनोंसे मेरी बुद्धिको मोहितसी कर रहे हैं । अतः आप निश्चय करके उस एक बात को कहिये, जिससे मैं कल्याणको प्राप्त हो जाऊँ ॥
English
Arjuna said: O Janardana, if you consider understanding superior to action, then why do you urge me to this terrible action, O Keshava? Your mixed words confuse my mind; tell me one clear thing by which I may attain what is good.
What this verse means
Arjuna is confused. Krishna seems to praise understanding over action, yet still asks him to fight. He asks for one clear instruction that will lead him toward what is good.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna has not yet moved his bow. Krishna has begun teaching, but Arjuna hears a tension: wisdom sounds higher than action, yet battle still stands before him. This verse is Arjuna’s demand for one clear path.
Why this verse still matters
You get two confident answers from two people you trust, and both cannot be followed at once. Instead of pretending to understand, you ask for the single clear step that matters.
The takeaway
It is honest to ask for clarity when guidance feels split in two.
Word-by-word translation
अर्जुन उवाच (Arjuna said) / ज्यायसी (better, superior) / चेत् (if) / कर्मणः (than action) / ते (by you) / मता (considered) / बुद्धिः (understanding) / जनार्दन (O Janardana) / तत् (then) / किम् (why) / कर्मणि (in action) / घोरे (terrible, dreadful) / माम् (me) / नियोजयसि (you engage, you urge) / केशव (O Keshava)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3: Karma Yoga — The Yoga of Action, which contains 43 verses.
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses)