सञ्जय उवाच | एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशं गुडाकेश: परन्तप | न योत्स्य इति गोविन्दमुक्त्वा तूष्णीं बभूव ह || 9 || |
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Sanjaya said to Dhritarashtra, “Having thus addressed Hrishikesha, Paramtapah (Arjuna) declared to Govinda: “I will not fight!” and became silent”.
Commentary
In this verse, Sanjaya narrates the response of Arjuna to Lord Krishna’s counsel. Arjuna, addressing Krishna as Hrishikesh (the master of the senses) and Govinda (the one who gives joy to all beings), declares that he will not engage in the battle. Overwhelmed by his emotions and the moral dilemma he faces, Arjuna becomes silent, indicating his inner turmoil and uncertainty.
Arjuna’s initial hesitation represents a common struggle of all devotees. In his state of moral dilemma and emotional turmoil, the devotee expresses his reluctance to fight against his own desires, attachments, and inner conflicts. He questions the effectiveness of using his personal willpower, intellectual faculties, and rational thinking to overcome the challenges he faces.
This verse describes a state of the devotee where he becomes overwhelmed by doubts, hesitations, and inner conflicts, leading him to a point of stagnation or inertia in the spiritual journey. The devotee finds himself at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take. Instead of actively progressing forward in the pursuit of the Divine, he remains stuck in a state of silent surrender.