Stung by Krishna’s sharp words about impotence and infamy, Arjuna now counters with the rational basis for his grief. In the Arjuna Uvaca Katham Bhishmam Aham Sankhye verse, he moves beyond raw emotion to present a profound and painful conflict of duty. He isn’t refusing to fight out of mere weakness; he is horrified by the targets he must aim at. He is being asked to turn his weapons on the very men who deserve his reverence and worship.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच
कथं भीष्ममहं सङ्ख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन ।
इषुभिः प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन ॥ ४ ॥Transliteration
arjuna uvāca
kathaṁ bhīṣmam ahaṁ saṅkhye droṇaṁ ca madhusūdana
iṣubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi pūjārhāv arisūdanaWord for Word Translation
arjunaḥ uvāca — Arjuna said; katham — how; bhīṣmam — Bhishma; aham — I; saṅkhye — in the fight; droṇam — Drona; ca — also; madhusūdana — O killer of the demon Madhu (Krishna); iṣubhiḥ — with arrows; pratiyotsyāmi — shall I counter-attack; pūjā-arhau — those who are worthy of worship; arisūdana — O killer of enemies.
English Translation
Arjuna said: O killer of Madhu, O killer of enemies, how can I counter-attack with arrows in battle, men like Bhishma and Drona, who are worthy of my worship?
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
This is Arjuna’s first attempt at a logical defense of his position. He isn’t talking about killing anonymous soldiers; he is naming the two most venerable figures on the opposing side, articulating a core conflict of Dharma.
- Kathaṁ Bhīṣmam… Droṇaṁ ca: “How can I fight Bhishma and Drona?” Arjuna singles out two specific individuals. Bhishma was his beloved grandsire, the patriarch of his entire dynasty, who had practically raised him. Drona was his revered `guru`, the master who had taught him archery and made him the greatest warrior in the world. To Arjuna, fighting them is unthinkable.
- Pūjārhau: “They are worthy of worship.” This is the heart of the argument. In Vedic culture, one’s elders and teachers are to be revered. A student is meant to offer his guru flowers, respect, and service, not lethal arrows. Arjuna is stating that attacking them would be a heinous sin, a complete inversion of the moral and social order. He feels he should be touching their feet, not aiming for their hearts.
- Madhusūdana and Arisūdana: “O killer of Madhu, O killer of enemies.” Arjuna’s choice of names for Krishna here is brilliant and poignant. He is subtly saying, “Krishna, you are famous for slaying demons and enemies. But Bhishma and Drona are not my enemies! They are my family, my teachers, the objects of my worship. How can your logic of destroying foes apply to those who are worthy of my veneration?” It is a plea for Krishna to see the distinction that is tearing him apart.
Conclusion
With this statement, Arjuna elevates his crisis from a personal breakdown to a universal ethical dilemma. He is caught between two sacred duties: his `Kshatriya-dharma` to fight for righteousness and his `shishya-dharma` (duty as a student) and `kula-dharma` (duty to family). Killing his worship-worthy teachers feels like a far greater sin than abandoning the battle. Arjuna’s question hangs in the air, challenging Krishna to provide an answer that can resolve a seemingly impossible conflict. It is this profound question that sets the stage for the deeper spiritual truths Krishna is about to reveal.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 – Verse 5 – Gurun Ahatva Hi Mahanubhavan
