Chapter II · Śloka 4
Arjuna uvāca
अर्जुन उवाच |
कथं भीष्ममहं सङ्ख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन |
इषुभिः प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन ||
कथं भीष्ममहं सङ्ख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन |
इषुभिः प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन ||
arjuna uvāca |
kathaṃ bhīṣmam ahaṃ saṅkhye droṇaṃ ca madhusūdana |
iṣubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi pūjārhāv arisūdana ||
kathaṃ bhīṣmam ahaṃ saṅkhye droṇaṃ ca madhusūdana |
iṣubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi pūjārhāv arisūdana ||
Arjuna said: O Madhusūdana, O slayer of enemies, how can I in battle shoot arrows at Bhīṣma and Droṇa, who are worthy of worship?
Arjuna now articulates the core of his paralysis: these are not merely enemies but revered elders and teachers. To draw the bow against them feels like a violation of the very dharma he is supposed to uphold.