Thus, the Lord, the Supreme Being, introduces the teaching regarding the Self for the sake of Arjuna whose natural courage was lost due to love and misplaced compassion.

Arjuna considered the war to be unrighteous even though it is the greatest duty for warriors (Kṣatriyas). He then took refuge in Śrī Krishna to learn what the correct course of action was.

Śrī Krishna understood that Arjuna's delusion would only be overcome by the knowledge of the real nature of the Self,

and the knowledge that war (action) is an ordained duty [for Kshatriyas] which, when performed without attachment to the fruits thereof is a means for Self-realisation.

9 *Samjaya Spake*—“*Gudākeśa (Arjuna), the Tormentor of the foes, having thus addressed Hṛṣīkeśa (Kṛṣṇa) and declared unto him, Govinda: ‘I will not fight, became silent.’*” (81)

Giving this account, Samjaya said “O King, hear what Arjuna said again, getting distressed with lamentations. He regretfully requested Lord Krishna not to press him and told him that he would not at all enter into the fight. Speaking out this ultimatum, Arjuna assumed silence. Lord Krishna was dismayed to see him in that mood.

'Evamuktvā hṛṣikeśaṁ guḍākeśaḥ parantapa na yotsya iti govindamuktvā tūṣṇim babhūva ha'—Arjuna honoured the Lord's word and wanted to obey it. But after thinking seriously, over what Lord Kṛṣṇa had said and applying his own mind to his thoughts, came to the conclusion, that war could result in

providing him with an affluent kingdom, honour and fame. But it would not wipe out his grief, worry and misery. Therefore, it was not befitting for him to wage war. So Arjuna speaks his mind in clear words "I'll not fight."

Having declared his decision not to fight, and having nothing more to say, Arjuna became quiet.

Link:— In the next verse, Sañjaya describes what happened, when Arjuna flatly refused to fight.

ऐसें संजयो सांगतु । म्हणे राया तो पार्थु । पुनरपि शोकाकुलितु । काय बोले ॥ ८१ ॥

आइकें सखेदु बोले श्रीकृष्णातें । आतां नाळवावें तुम्हीं मातें । मी सर्वथा न झुंजें येथें । भरंवसेनि ॥ ८२ ॥

ऐसें येकि हेळां बोलिला । मग मौन धरोनि ठेला । तेथ श्रीकृष्णा विस्मो पातला । देखोनि तयाते ॥ ८३ ॥

(2.81) तदन्तर संजय कहने लगे - हे राजा! अर्जुन फिर शोक से व्याकुल हो क्या बोला

(2.82) सो सुनिए। उसने श्रीकृष्ण से खेदयुक्त होकर कहा कि अब आप मुझसे आग्रहपूर्वक न कहें। मैं निश्चय से इनके साथ सर्वथा युद्ध न करूँगा। (2.83) ऐसा एक बार बोला और फिर स्तब्ध हो रहा, तब उसे देखकर श्रीकृष्ण को आश्चर्य हुआ।

‘एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशम्...बभूव ह’— अर्जुनने अपना और भगवान्का—दोनोंका पक्ष सामने रखकर उनपर विचार किया, तो अन्तमें वे इसी निर्णयपर पहुँचे कि युद्ध करनेसे तो अधिक-से-अधिक राज्य प्राप्त हो जायगा, मान हो जायगा, संसारमें यश हो जायगा, परन्तु मेरे हृदयमें जो शोक है, चिन्ता है, दुःख है, वे दूर नहीं होंगे। अतः अर्जुनको युद्ध न करना ही ठीक मालूम दिया।

यद्यपि अर्जुन भगवान्की बातका आदर करते हैं और उसको मानना भी चाहते हैं; परन्तु उनके भीतर युद्ध करनेकी बात ठीक-ठीक जँच नहीं रही है। इसलिये अर्जुन अपने भीतर जँची हुई बातको ही यहाँ स्पष्टरूपसे, साफ-साफ कह देते हैं कि ‘मैं युद्ध नहीं करूँगा’। इस प्रकार जब अपनी बात, अपना निर्णय भगवान्से साफ-साफ कह दिया, तब भगवान्से कहनेके लिये और कोई बात बाकी नहीं रही; अतः वे चुप हो जाते हैं।

**सम्बन्ध—**जब अर्जुनने युद्ध करनेके लिये साफ मना कर दिया, तब उसके बाद क्या हुआ—इसको संजय आगेके श्लोकमें बताते हैं।