Bhagavad Gita -Srila Prabhupada 23

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita As It Is -Shri Shrimad A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

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Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra
Chapter 1: Verse-30

na ca saknomy avasthätum
bhramativa ca me manah
nimittäni ca pasyämi
viparitäni kesava[1]

TRANSLATION

I am now unable to stand here any longer. I am forgetting myself, and my mind is reeling. I see only causes of misfortune, O Krsna, killer of the Kesi demon.


PURPORT

Due to his impatience, Arjuna was unable to stay on the battlefield, and he was forgetting himself on account of this weakness of his mind. Excessive attachment for material things puts a man in such a bewildering condition of existence. Bhayam dvitiyäbhinivesatah syät-( Bhäg. 11.2.37):-such fearfulness and loss of mental equilibrium take place in persons who are too affected by material conditions. Arjuna envisioned only painful reverses in the battlefield—he would not be happy even by gaining victory over the foe. The words nimittäni viparétäni are significant. When a man sees only frustration in his expectations, he thinks, “Why am I here?” Everyone is interested in himself and his own welfare. No one is interested in the Supreme Self. Arjuna is showing ignorance of his real self-interest by Krsna’s will. One’s real self-interest lies in Visnu, or Krsna. The conditioned soul forgets this, and therefore suffers material pains. Arjuna thought that his victory in the battle would only be a cause of lamentation for him.


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References

  1. na=nor; ca=also; saknomi=am I able; avasthätum=to stay; bhramati=forgetting; iva=as; ca=and; me=my; manah=mind; nimittäni=causes; ca=also; pasyämi=I see; viparitäni=just the opposite;
    kesava=O killer of the demon Kesi (Krsna).

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