Chapter III · Śloka 2
व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे |
तदेकं वद निश्चित्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम् ||
तदेकं वद निश्चित्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम् ||
vyāmiśreṇeva vākyena buddhiṃ mohayasīva me |
tad ekaṃ vada niścitya yena śreyo 'ham āpnuyām ||
tad ekaṃ vada niścitya yena śreyo 'ham āpnuyām ||
With speech that seems contradictory you confuse my understanding. Therefore tell me with certainty that one path by which I may attain what is good.
Arjuna asks for a single, unambiguous directive — he is not in the mood for philosophy but for practical guidance. This demand for clarity occasions the entire teaching of karma yoga that follows.