न चैतद्विद्म: कतरन्नो गरीयो यद्वा जयेम यदि वा नो जयेयु: | यानेव हत्वा न जिजीविषाम स्तेऽवस्थिता: प्रमुखे धार्तराष्ट्रा: || 6 || |
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“We do not know which is better for us, to conquer them or be conquered by them. Even after killing them, we will not desire to live. Yet they are now standing before us on the battlefield.”
Commentary
Arjuna admits that he is unsure about what would be better for him and his brothers, the Pandavas. Arjuna is uncertain whether it is preferable to defeat their opponents, who include his relatives, or to be defeated by them. Even if they were to emerge victorious by defeating their enemies, he realizes that he would not find any joy or fulfillment in such a victory. He contemplates the aftermath of the battle and envisions a situation where, despite their victory, he and his brothers would be left feeling empty and lacking the will to live.
The devotee in communion with God is not referring to the literal death of his opponents, but rather the subjugation or elimination of the negative aspects within himself. These aspects can include attachment, ego, selfish desires, and other harmful inclinations that hinder spiritual growth and inner peace. He feels the pain of separation from senses after a long journey of self-discipline in meditation and does not want to conquer ‘his own desires’ completely. The devotee acknowledges that these inner tendencies, if subdued or eliminated, would make his life undesirable. His hesitation to engage in the external battle stems from his concern that defeating his own sense tendencies might lead to an undesirable existence, devoid of purpose and contentment.
Disciplining the senses is essential for well-being in every stratum of life. After overcoming a sense-temptation with a lot of self-discipline, a wayward child is cheered and appreciated by his parents and family members. Similarly, a devotee receives abundant blessings from God and Divine Saints as they are thrilled when the devotee overcomes sensory inclinations!