My nature is overwhelmed by weakness, and my mind is confused about duty. I ask you: tell me with certainty what is best for me. I am your student; instruct me, for I have taken refuge in you.
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 2.7
Hindi · हिन्दी
कायरतारूपदोषसे तिरस्कृत स्वभाववाला और धर्मके विषयमें मोहित अन्तःकरणवाला मैं आपसे पूछता हूँ कि जो निश्चित कल्याण करनेवाली हो, वह मेरे लिये कहिये । मैं आपका शिष्य हूँ । आपके शरण हुए मुझे शिक्षा दीजिये ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावःnature overcome by weaknessपृच्छामिI askत्वाम्youधर्मसंमूढचेताःmind confused about dutyयत्whichश्रेयःthe highest goodस्यात्may beनिश्चितम्certainlyब्रूहिtellतत्thatमेto meशिष्यःstudentतेyourअहम्Iशाधिinstructमाम्meत्वाम्youप्रपन्नम्one who has taken refuge
Read literallynature overcome by weakness · I ask · you · mind confused about duty · which · the highest good · may be · certainly · tell · that · to me · student · your · I · instruct · me · you · one who has taken refuge
Understanding the verse
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Arjuna calls himself Krishna's student, takes refuge in him, and asks to be told plainly what is best.
Arjuna admits he is overwhelmed and confused about what is truly right. He asks Krishna to clearly tell him the best course, as a student seeking guidance.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Arjuna's bow has fallen and his certainty has collapsed. Surrounded by the armies of his own kin, he stops arguing with himself and turns to Krishna, asking for clear instruction because he can no longer tell what is right.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
When a family business is failing and the brothers keep arguing in circles, one of them finally turns to the uncle they trust and says, "Tell me what to do." Arjuna says that to Krishna.
The takeaway
“It is a relief to admit confusion and ask for guidance instead of pretending to know.”
Arjuna admits he is overwhelmed and confused about what is truly right. He asks Krishna to clearly tell him the best course, as a student seeking guidance.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.7?
Arjuna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Sankhya Yoga" (The Yoga of Knowledge).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 2.7?
Verse 7 sits in Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita — Sankhya Yoga, "The Yoga of Knowledge". The chapter has 72 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 2.7 matter today?
When a family business is failing and the brothers keep arguing in circles, one of them finally turns to the uncle they trust and says, "Tell me what to do." Arjuna says that to Krishna.
Arjuna calls himself Krishna's student, takes refuge in him, and asks to be told plainly what is best.
What this verse means
Arjuna admits he is overwhelmed and confused about what is truly right. He asks Krishna to clearly tell him the best course, as a student seeking guidance.
Context & commentary
Arjuna's bow has fallen and his certainty has collapsed. Surrounded by the armies of his own kin, he stops arguing with himself and turns to Krishna, asking for clear instruction because he can no longer tell what is right.
What it looks like today
When a family business is failing and the brothers keep arguing in circles, one of them finally turns to the uncle they trust and says, "Tell me what to do." Arjuna says that to Krishna.
“It is a relief to admit confusion and ask for guidance instead of pretending to know.”
Explore related themes: arjuna vishada (14 verses), sharanagati (13 verses)