The perspective now shifts from the intimate dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna back to the narrator, Sanjaya, who is reporting the events to the blind King Dhritarashtra. The Sanjaya Uvaca Evam Uktva Hrsikesam verse describes the absolute lowest point of Arjuna’s resolve. After surrendering his intellect to Krishna, his emotions make one final, defiant stand. He states his decision plainly and then withdraws completely, creating a tense silence on the battlefield.
Sanskrit Verse
सञ्जय उवाच
एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशं गुडाकेशः परन्तपः ।
न योत्स्य इति गोविन्दमुक्त्वा तूष्णीं बभूव ह ॥ ९ ॥Transliteration
sañjaya uvāca
evam uktvā hṛṣīkeśaṁ guḍākeśaḥ parantapaḥ
na yotsya iti govindam uktvā tūṣṇīṁ babhūva haWord for Word Translation
sañjayaḥ uvāca — Sanjaya said; evam — thus; uktvā — having spoken; hṛṣīkeśam — to Krishna, the master of the senses; guḍākeśaḥ — Arjuna, the master of conquering sleep; parantapaḥ — the chastiser of the enemy; na yotsye — I shall not fight; iti — thus; govindam — to Krishna, the giver of pleasure to the cows; uktvā — having said; tūṣṇīm — silent; babhūva ha — he became.
English Translation
Sanjaya said: Having spoken these words to Hrishikesha, Krishna, the master of the senses, Gudakesha (Arjuna), the chastiser of the enemy, said to Govinda, “I shall not fight,” and fell silent.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
This verse is packed with irony and significance. It marks the final action of the student before the Teacher begins his formal discourse. The drama is heightened by Sanjaya’s choice of names.
- Na yotsya iti… tūṣṇīṁ babhūva ha: “I shall not fight… he fell silent.” This is the ultimate expression of Arjuna’s grief-stricken state. He moves from questioning and confusion to a direct, negative declaration. The silence that follows (`tūṣṇīm`) is profound. It is the silence of a man who has been completely overwhelmed, who has nothing left to say and no will left to act.
- Guḍākeśaḥ and Parantapaḥ: Sanjaya’s use of these titles for Arjuna at this moment is a brilliant literary device. He calls him `Guḍākeśaḥ`, “the conqueror of sleep,” yet Arjuna is now spiritually asleep, oblivious to his higher duty. He calls him `Parantapaḥ`, “the chastiser of enemies,” yet this great hero is refusing to fight the enemy before him. The names highlight the tragic paradox of his situation: a man famous for his mastery and power is now mastered by his own weakness.
- Hṛṣīkeśaṁ and Govindam: The names used for Krishna are also significant. `Hṛṣīkeśa` means “master of the senses.” Arjuna, whose senses are withering from grief, has just addressed the one being who has complete mastery over them. This sets the stage for Krishna to teach Arjuna how to control his own mind and senses. `Govinda` means “one who gives pleasure to the senses and the cows,” a reminder of Krishna’s sweet and loving nature, even in this tense moment.
As the divinely empowered narrator, the choice of names by Sanjaya is never accidental. This verse uses them to create a perfect snapshot of the spiritual drama: the fallen hero, ironically described by his greatest titles, making one last stand of defiance before the loving Master of the Senses, who is about to begin his life-altering instruction.
Conclusion
This is the calm before the storm of divine wisdom. Arjuna has hit rock bottom. He has surrendered his mind but his will has made one final, desperate proclamation. His declaration “I shall not fight” and subsequent silence is the final problem laid at Krishna’s feet. It is the disease, now fully expressed, that the rest of the Bhagavad Gita will proceed to cure. From this point on, Arjuna will not speak again for a long time; he will only listen.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 – Verse 10 – Tam Uvaca Hrsikesah Prahasann Iva Bharata
