Gita 2-7
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मूलम्
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः
पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः |
यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे
शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ||२-७||
Meaning
शब्दार्थाः (Word for word)
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः -- One whose true nature has been overcome by the fault of pity; पृच्छामि -- I ask; त्वाम् -- you; धर्मसम्मूढचेताः -- one whose intellect is completely confused about the righteous path; यत् -- that which; श्रेयः -- greater welfare; निश्चितम् -- certain; ब्रूहि -- please tell; मे -- me; शिष्यः -- disciple; ते -- your; अहम् -- I; शाधि -- please instruct; माम् -- me; त्वाम् -- you; प्रपन्नम् -- to one who has surrendered;
अन्वयः (Word order)
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः धर्मसम्मूढचेताः त्वां पृच्छामि -- यत् निश्चितं श्रेयः तत् मे ब्रूहि । अहं ते शिष्यः । त्वां प्रपन्नं मां शाधि ।
अनुवादः (Translation)
My true nature has been overcome by pity; My intellect is utterly confused about the righteous path. I ask you : please tell me with certainty what will lead to greater good. I am your disciple. I have surrendered to you. Please instruct me.
Notes
Bhagavad Ramanuja does not comment on this verse separately.
Swami Ramsukhdasji points out four different levels of statements/questions by Arjuna:
- धर्मसम्मूढचेताः -- Arjuna is asking Krishna to tell him what dharma is. This according to Swami Ramsukhdasji is something that an instructor may or may not choose to reply to since the question does not necessarily pertain to ultimate welfare.
- यत् श्रेयः स्यात् निश्चितं ब्रूहि -- Here Arjuna is asking for what would lead to ultimate welfare for him (and for everyone involved). This is a request of greater subtlety. According to Swami Ramsukhdasji, one who is asked this question is duty-bound to answer.
- शिष्यः ते अहम् -- By calling himself Krishna's disciple, Arjuna has completely changed from when he asked Krishna to drive around his chariot ( see Verse 1.21 ). Swami Ramsukhdasji says that a guru has a special duty to instruct a disciple about ultimate good.
- शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् -- The greatest duty is towards one who has surrendered and this person should be led at every step. However, Swami Ramsukhdasji points out certain lacunae in Arjuna's surrender. Arjuna asks Krishna to instruct him whereas someone who has surrendered is not to have any further requests or demands. Arjuna also finally says, "I will not fight" (see Verse 9 ) when a true शरणागत is supposed to surrender all independent will.