Shloka 4
कर्मयोग–ज्ञानयज्ञ–अवतारोपदेश
Karma-Yoga, Jñāna-Yajña, and Avatāra Instruction
अजुन उवाच कथं भीष्ममहं संख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन । इषुभ्रि: प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन
arjuna uvāca kathaṁ bhīṣmam ahaṁ saṅkhye droṇaṁ ca madhusūdana | iṣubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi pūjārhāv arisūdana ||
Arjuna disse: “Como, ó Madhusūdana, poderei no campo de batalha revidar com flechas contra Bhīṣma e Droṇa—homens dignos de reverência? Ó destruidor de inimigos, minha consciência recua ao voltar as armas contra aqueles a quem devo honra e gratidão, mesmo sob as exigências da guerra.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames Arjuna’s ethical crisis: even in a righteous war, he feels it is morally troubling to attack elders and teachers who are ‘pūjārha’ (worthy of reverence). It sets up the Gītā’s inquiry into how dharma can require action that conflicts with personal emotion and social obligations.
On the battlefield, Arjuna addresses Kṛṣṇa and questions how he can shoot arrows at Bhīṣma and Droṇa, who stand on the opposing side. His hesitation arises from respect, gratitude, and the traditional duty to honor elders and gurus, intensifying his refusal to fight.