Bhagavad Gita 2.7 — Arjuna Surrenders as a Disciple and Asks for Certain Guidance
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः
पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः।
यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे
शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम्॥ २.७॥
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My nature is overpowered by the defect of faint-hearted pity, and my mind is confused about duty. I ask You: tell me decisively what is truly better for me. I am Your disciple; instruct me, who has taken refuge in You.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kārpaṇyadoṣhopahatasvabhāvaḥ | one whose nature is overpowered by the defect of faint-hearted pity |
| pṛichchhāmi | I ask |
| tvām | You |
| dharmasammūḍhachetāḥ | whose mind is confused about duty and righteousness |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yat | which |
| śhreyaḥ | better, truly beneficial |
| syāt | may be |
| niśhchitam | decisively, for certain |
| brūhi | tell |
| tat | that |
| me | to me |
| śhiṣhyaḥ | disciple |
| te | Your |
| aham | I |
| śhādhi | instruct, teach |
| mām | me |
| tvām | in You |
| prapannam | who has surrendered, who has taken refuge |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kārpaṇyadoṣhopahatasvabhāvaḥ | one whose nature is overpowered by the defect of faint-hearted pity | yat | which |
| pṛichchhāmi | I ask | śhreyaḥ | better, truly beneficial |
| tvām | You | syāt | may be |
| dharmasammūḍhachetāḥ | whose mind is confused about duty and righteousness | niśhchitam | decisively, for certain |
| brūhi | tell | ||
| tat | that | ||
| me | to me | ||
| śhiṣhyaḥ | disciple | ||
| te | Your | ||
| aham | I | ||
| śhādhi | instruct, teach | ||
| mām | me | ||
| tvām | in You | ||
| prapannam | who has surrendered, who has taken refuge | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
This verse is the turning point of the Bhagavad Gita. After arguing, justifying, and doubting, Arjuna finally surrenders. He acknowledges his confusion, asks Lord Krishna to tell him what is truly good, and requests to be accepted as a disciple. From this moment the conversation changes from a discussion between friends into a teaching between guru and disciple.
Essence
The moment of surrender
Until now Arjuna has been presenting his own reasoning. In this verse he stops. He admits that his nature has been overpowered by weakness and that his mind is bewildered about dharma. Real transformation begins when a person is willing to say, 'My own understanding is not enough.'
Kārpaṇya-doṣopahata-svabhāvaḥ (my nature afflicted by the fault of pitiable weakness): The word kārpaṇya is often explained as a small-minded, miserly attitude, a clinging to what is 'mine' that shrinks the heart. Arjuna recognises that his compassion has become mixed with attachment and that this has damaged his natural strength and clarity.
Dharma-sammūḍha-cetāḥ (my mind bewildered about duty): He is not just sad; he is confused. He cannot tell what dharma requires of him in this situation. This honest recognition is the real beginning of wisdom.
The sincere request
Yac chreyaḥ syān niścitam brūhi tan me (tell me decisively what is truly good for me): Notice the word niścitam, 'definitely'. Arjuna does not want comforting opinions or a list of possibilities. He wants a clear and certain answer. The word śreyaḥ again points to what is ultimately beneficial, not merely what is pleasant.
Śiṣyas te 'ham (I am your disciple): This is the most important statement in the verse. Arjuna changes his relationship with Krishna. He is no longer only a friend who shares his feelings. He becomes a student ready to learn.
Śādhi mām tvāṃ prapannam (instruct me, for I have taken refuge in You): The word prapanna means one who has surrendered. A true disciple does not merely listen; he opens himself to be guided.
Message for Everyday Life (Becoming Teachable)
We often ask for advice while secretly trying to defend our own conclusions. Arjuna shows what real openness looks like.
Admit that you need guidance: Humility is not weakness. It is the condition in which learning becomes possible.
Ask for what is truly beneficial: Instead of seeking validation, ask, 'What is genuinely good for me?' and be ready to hear an answer that may challenge you.
The moment of surrender
Until now Arjuna has been presenting his own reasoning. In this verse he stops. He admits that his nature has been overpowered by weakness and that his mind is bewildered about dharma. Real transformation begins when a person is willing to say, 'My own understanding is not enough.'
Kārpaṇya-doṣopahata-svabhāvaḥ (my nature afflicted by the fault of pitiable weakness): The word kārpaṇya is often explained as a small-minded, miserly attitude, a clinging to what is 'mine' that shrinks the heart. Arjuna recognises that his compassion has become mixed with attachment and that this has damaged his natural strength and clarity.
Dharma-sammūḍha-cetāḥ (my mind bewildered about duty): He is not just sad; he is confused. He cannot tell what dharma requires of him in this situation. This honest recognition is the real beginning of wisdom.
The sincere request
Yac chreyaḥ syān niścitam brūhi tan me (tell me decisively what is truly good for me): Notice the word niścitam, 'definitely'. Arjuna does not want comforting opinions or a list of possibilities. He wants a clear and certain answer. The word śreyaḥ again points to what is ultimately beneficial, not merely what is pleasant.
Śiṣyas te 'ham (I am your disciple): This is the most important statement in the verse. Arjuna changes his relationship with Krishna. He is no longer only a friend who shares his feelings. He becomes a student ready to learn.
Śādhi mām tvāṃ prapannam (instruct me, for I have taken refuge in You): The word prapanna means one who has surrendered. A true disciple does not merely listen; he opens himself to be guided.
Message for Everyday Life (Becoming Teachable)
We often ask for advice while secretly trying to defend our own conclusions. Arjuna shows what real openness looks like.
Admit that you need guidance: Humility is not weakness. It is the condition in which learning becomes possible.
Ask for what is truly beneficial: Instead of seeking validation, ask, 'What is genuinely good for me?' and be ready to hear an answer that may challenge you.
Next Topic
Arjuna has surrendered and has asked Lord Krishna to teach him. Yet he completes his appeal by explaining the depth of his despair. In the next verse he says that not even the greatest earthly power will remove the sorrow that is drying up his senses.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
The student's cup must be empty to be filled.
Saying 'I'm lost' is the first step home.
A good mentor sees what you cannot see yet.
Guidance works only when we truly open ourselves.
Ask for what's best, not what's easiest.
Letting go of pride makes room for wisdom.
The Gita truly begins when Arjuna asks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this verse considered a turning point of the Gita?
What does 'kārpaṇya' (faint-hearted pity) mean?
What is 'dharmasammūḍhachetāḥ' (mind confused about duty)?
What is the meaning of 'śhreyaḥ' (the highest good) in this verse?
What does 'prapanna' (one who has surrendered) tell us about the guru-disciple relationship?
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