In Bhagavad Gita 2.9, Sanjaya reports that Arjuna, having spoken to Krishna, declares “I will not fight” and falls silent.
Sanskrit Verse
सञ्जय उवाच · Sanjaya said
एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशं
गुडाकेशः परन्तप
न योत्स्य इति गोविन्दम्
उक्त्वा तूष्णीं बभूव ह ॥ २-९ ॥
evamuktvā hṛṣīkeśaṃ
guḍākeśaḥ parantapa
na yotsya iti govindam
uktvā tūṣṇīṃ babhūva ha
English transliteration evamuktvaa hrisheekesham
gudaakeshah parantapa
na yotsya iti govindam
uktvaa tooshneem babhoova ha ॥ 2.9 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus to Hrishikesha, Gudakesha, the scorcher of foes, said to Govinda, “I will not fight,” and became silent.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| एवम् evam | thus |
| उक्त्वा uktvā | having spoken |
| हृषीकेशम् hṛṣīkeśam | to Hṛṣīkeśa |
| गुडाकेशः guḍākeśaḥ | Guḍākeśa (Arjuna) |
| परन्तप parantapa | the scorcher of foes |
| न योत्स्ये na yotsye | I will not fight |
| इति iti | thus |
| गोविन्दम् govindam | to Govinda (Kṛṣṇa) |
| उक्त्वा uktvā | having said |
| तूष्णीम् tūṣṇīm | silent |
| बभूव babhūva | became |
| ह ha | indeed |
Word-wise Chanting
- e–va–muk–tvā hṛ–ṣī–ke–śaṃ 8 syllables e-va-muk-tvaa hri-shee-ke-sham
- gu–ḍā–ke–śaḥ pa–ran–ta–pa | 8 syllables gu-daa-ke-shah pa-ran-ta-pa
- na yot–sya i–ti go–vin–dam– 8 syllables na yot-sya i-ti go-vin-dam-
- uk–tvā tūṣ–ṇīṃ ba–bhū–va ha || 2-9 8 syllables uk-tvaa toosh-neem ba-bhoo-va ha
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 2 Verse 9
Context
Arjuna has finished his plea (2.4–2.8). Sanjaya now reports his final decision and his silence.
Meaning
The words “I will not fight” are short and absolute. Arjuna has argued, wept and asked for teaching; now he declares his conclusion and falls silent. Sanjaya still calls him Gudakesha, conqueror of sleep, and Parantapa, scorcher of foes, as if to note the irony: the hero is now immobile.
Silence after a decision made in despair is not peace; it is exhaustion. Yet this silence also creates space for Krishna to speak. When the mind finally stops its own arguments, it becomes able to listen. The whole teaching of the Gita will fill this silence.
In Practice
After you have argued with yourself about a problem, allow a period of silence before deciding. Let something deeper than argument have space to speak.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge). 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.