In Bhagavad Gita 1.29, Arjuna describes the physical shock of his grief: his limbs give way, his mouth dries up, his body trembles and his hair stands on end.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि
मुखं च परिशुष्यति
वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे
रोमहर्षश्च जायते ॥ १-२९ ॥
sīdanti mama gātrāṇi
mukhaṃ ca pariśuṣyati
vepathuśca śarīre me
romaharṣaśca jāyate
English transliteration seedanti mama gaatraani
mukham cha parishushyati
vepathushcha shareere me
romaharshashcha jaayate ॥ 1.29 ॥
Translation / Meaning
My limbs give way and my mouth is parched; my body trembles and my hair stands on end.
Arjuna’s description of his condition runs from 1.28 to 1.30.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सीदन्ति sīdanti | give way, fail |
| मम mama | my |
| गात्राणि gātrāṇi | limbs |
| मुखम् mukham | mouth |
| च ca | and |
| परिशुष्यति pariśuṣyati | is drying up |
| वेपथुः vepathuḥ | trembling |
| च ca | and |
| शरीरे śarīre | in the body |
| मे me | my |
| रोमहर्षः romaharṣaḥ | hair standing on end roma (hair) + harṣaḥ (bristling) |
| च ca | and |
| जायते jāyate | arises |
Word-wise Chanting
- sī–dan–ti ma–ma gāt–rā–ṇi 8 syllables see-dan-ti ma-ma gaat-raa-ni
- mu–khaṃ ca pa–ri–śuṣ–ya–ti | 8 syllables mu-kham cha pa-ri-shush-ya-ti
- ve–pa–thuś–ca śa–rī–re me 8 syllables ve-pa-thush-cha sha-ree-re me
- ro–ma–har–ṣaś–ca jā–ya–te || 1-29 8 syllables ro-ma-har-shash-cha jaa-ya-te
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 1 Verse 29
Context
Continuing from 1.28, Arjuna describes what is happening in his body.
Meaning
Arjuna, the greatest archer of his age, describes the symptoms of overwhelming distress: weakness, dry mouth, trembling, goosebumps. The Gita is remarkably honest about the body. Grief and fear are not only thoughts; they flood the nervous system. A mind in conflict shows itself in the body before it finds words.
This honesty is part of the Gita’s wisdom. Spiritual teaching here does not begin by denying human weakness but by meeting it. Arjuna’s body tells the truth his mind has not yet admitted: he is not ready for this battle. Krishna will address both mind and body, teaching steadiness that reaches the breath and senses as well as thought.
In Practice
When you are distressed, scan your body: jaw, throat, chest, hands. Breathe slowly into the tightest place for a few breaths before you think further.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (The Yoga of Arjuna’s Despondency). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.