yadi hyahaṃ na vindeyaṃ śatrūn pretyuddhāya śastrapāṇyāḥ.
“If I were not to fight with the enemy warriors who have taken up arms.”
Structure
yadi hi aham na vindeya satruun pretyuddhaya shastrapanayah
aham hi yadi shastrapanayah satruun pretyuddhaya na vindeya
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yadi | yadi | indeclinable | — | if |
| hi | hi | indeclinable | — | indeed, surely |
| aham | aham | pronoun | nominative · singular | I |
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| vindeyaṃ | vindeyaṃ | verb | √vind · liṅ-optative · first | may I not find |
| śatrūn | śatrūn | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | enemies |
| pretyuddhāya | pretyuddhāya | indeclinable | — | for fighting against them |
| śastrapāṇyāḥ | śastrapāṇyāḥ | compound | bahuvrīhi · "śastra-paṇi-āḥ" | those having weapons in their hands |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Śaṅkarācārya interprets this verse as a moment of introspection for Arjuna, where he grapples with the dilemma of engaging in a war that involves killing his own kin. Śaṅkara sees this as an opportunity for Arjuna to understand the impermanence of the body and the eternal nature of the ātman. By not fighting, Arjuna would be succumbing to rajas and tamas, forgetting his duty as a warrior. Śaṅkara's non-dual reading emphasizes the importance of self-inquiry and understanding one's true nature as brahman-ātman, unaffected by the fleeting nature of worldly actions. This verse, therefore, points to the ultimate reality that transcends the dualities of war and peace, action and inaction, highlighting the need for Arjuna to embrace his duty with a sense of detachment.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya): Rāmānujācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, sees this verse as a demonstration of Arjuna's initial resistance to performing his duty due to attachment and compassion. Rāmānuja emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one's svadharma, or duty, as ordained by Īśvara. He argues that Arjuna's hesitation stems from a lack of understanding of the divine will, which is beyond human comprehension. By not fighting, Arjuna would be disobeying the divine command, thus committing a greater sin. Rāmānuja's devotional reading underscores the relationship between jīva and Īśvara, where the individual self must surrender to the will of the divine, recognizing the ultimate authority and benevolence of the Lord. This verse, in the Vaiṣṇava tradition, serves as a reminder of the need for surrender and devotion to Īśvara in the face of conflicting desires and duties.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda): Swami Vivekānanda interprets this verse as a call to action, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling one's duty without attachment to the outcome. He sees Arjuna's dilemma as a universal human struggle, where individuals must balance their personal desires with their responsibilities to others. Vivekānanda argues that true strength lies not in avoidance or escapism but in confronting one's fears and doubts head-on. By embracing his duty as a warrior, Arjuna can transcend his egoistic limitations and realize his higher potential. This verse, according to Vivekānanda, has a direct application to modern life, where individuals must navigate complex moral and ethical dilemmas. He encourages people to cultivate the courage and self-awareness to make difficult choices, recognizing that true freedom lies in the ability to choose one's actions with wisdom and integrity, rather than being driven by fear or desire.