Srimad Bhagavad Gita Shloka 1.47

Shloka 1.47

“Sanjaya said: Having thus spoken on the battlefield, Arjuna, his mind overwhelmed with sorrow, cast aside his bow and arrows and sank down in his chariot.”

Key Teaching: Arjuna, overwhelmed by sorrow, abandons his resolve to fight, marking his emotional and moral crisis.

Theme: Despair, Conflict, Karma Yoga, Guidance.

500-Word Description:
In shloka 1.47, Sanjaya narrates to Dhritarashtra that Arjuna, after expressing his anguish (1.28–46), overcome with sorrow, casts aside his bow and arrows and collapses in his chariot on the Kurukshetra battlefield. This verse concludes Chapter 1, encapsulating Arjuna’s emotional and moral crisis, setting the stage for Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita. The themes of despair, as Arjuna succumbs to grief, conflict, as he faces the war’s moral dilemma, Karma Yoga, as his inaction prompts Krishna’s guidance on duty, and guidance, as Krishna will lead him to clarity, are central.

In the Mahabharata, Arjuna’s breakdown (1.28–46) contrasts with Duryodhana’s earlier confidence (1.2–11). His act of casting aside his weapons symbolizes his rejection of his warrior duty (kshatriya dharma), driven by attachment to kin like Bhishma and Drona. This moment, reported by Sanjaya, highlights Arjuna’s inner turmoil over the war’s consequences, foreshadowing Krishna’s teachings on Karma Yoga (2.47), which will urge detached action. Unlike Duryodhana’s ego-driven ambition, Arjuna’s despair stems from compassion, yet both obstruct their respective paths.

Philosophically, the verse captures the human struggle with duty versus emotion, a theme refined in Krishna’s counsel on the soul’s immortality (2.20) and selfless action (2.47). Arjuna’s sorrow reflects attachment, which Krishna will later address as a barrier to liberation (2.7). The Gita’s focus on Karma Yoga will guide Arjuna to act without personal gain, resolving his crisis. The verse connects to his earlier lament (1.28–46), emphasizing the war’s personal toll.

Sanjaya’s objective narration ensures clarity for Dhritarashtra, framing Arjuna’s collapse as a universal human moment. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s overwhelming challenges, where emotional turmoil can paralyze action. Krishna’s forthcoming guidance will redirect Arjuna from despair to duty, aligning with moksha. The image of Arjuna sinking in his chariot resonates with the Mahabharata’s portrayal of a warrior torn by moral conflict, setting the foundation for the Gita’s philosophical discourse on duty, detachment, and liberation.