This is the single most important verse of the Bhagavad Gita’s introduction. Having exhausted his own intellect and sunk to the depths of despair, Arjuna now performs the one act that can save him. He turns to Krishna, not as a friend or a cousin, but as a student turns to a master. The Karpanya Dosopahata Svabhavah verse is the moment of pure, heartfelt surrender, the act of a lost soul formally asking for divine guidance. It is only because of this verse that the profound wisdom of the Gita is finally spoken.
Sanskrit Verse
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः ।
यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ॥ ७ ॥Transliteration
kārpaṇya-doṣopahata-svabhāvaḥ pṛcchāmi tvāṁ dharma-sammūḍha-cetāḥ
yac chreyaḥ syān niścitaṁ brūhi tan me śiṣyas te’haṁ śādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannamWord for Word Translation
kārpaṇya-doṣa — by the fault of miserly weakness; upahata — being afflicted; svabhāvaḥ — whose nature; pṛcchāmi — I am asking; tvām — You; dharma-sammūḍha-cetāḥ — with a mind bewildered about my duty; yat śreyaḥ — what is best; syāt — may be; niścitam — for certain; brūhi — tell; tat — that; me — to me; śiṣyaḥ — disciple; te — Your; aham — I am; śādhi — instruct; mām — me; tvām — to You; prapannam — surrendered.
English Translation
Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure due to a miserly weakness. In this condition, I am asking you to tell me for certain what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
This verse is a dense and beautiful expression of surrender. Arjuna makes four critical statements that completely change the nature of the conversation.
- Kārpaṇya-doṣopahata-svabhāvaḥ: “The fault of miserly weakness afflicts my nature.” A `kārpanya` is a miser, but here it refers to a miserliness of spirit. Arjuna recognizes that his grief, his attachment to his family, and his fear of personal pain have made his heart small and weak, eclipsing his heroic nature.
- Dharma-sammūḍha-cetāḥ: “My mind is bewildered about Dharma.” This is the core problem. Arjuna, a man who has lived his life by the code of Dharma, now admits he is completely confused about what his duty actually is. The rules he once lived by now seem to contradict each other, and he is lost.
- Yac chreyaḥ syān niścitaṁ brūhi tan me: “Tell me for certain what is best for me.” Arjuna is no longer interested in opinions or debates. He is asking for `niścitam`—a definitive, certain, and unambiguous truth. He wants a clear path that cuts through his confusion.
- Śiṣyas te’haṁ śādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam: “I am Your disciple, surrendered to You. Please instruct me.” This is the sacred declaration that transforms everything. By saying “I am your `śiṣya` (disciple),” Arjuna voluntarily accepts a subordinate position and establishes Krishna as his `guru` (spiritual master). This is the essential condition for the transmission of divine knowledge in the guru-shishya tradition.
Conclusion
Before this verse, Krishna and Arjuna were equals, friends debating a problem. After this verse, they are Guru and disciple. Arjuna’s surrender is not a sign of weakness, but of profound wisdom. It is the recognition that his own intellect, emotions, and moral codes are insufficient to solve his crisis. By consciously setting aside his ego and asking for instruction, he makes himself a perfect vessel for the divine wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. It is only now, after this complete surrender, that Lord Krishna will begin to reveal the timeless truths of the soul, duty, and the nature of reality.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 – Verse 8 – Na Hi Prapasyami Mamapanudyad
