Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 8 (BG 2.8) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

2.8 न हि not? प्रपश्यामि I see? मम my? अपनुद्यात् would remove? यत् that? शोकम् grief? उच्छोषणम् drying up? इन्द्रियाणाम् of my senses? अवाप्य having obtained? भूमौ on the earth? असपत्नम् unrivalled? ऋद्धम् prosperous? राज्यम् dominion? सुराणाम् over the gods? अपि even? च and? आधिपत्यम् lordship.No commentary.

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

Here, Arjun indicates that he requires guidance immediately, and in its absence, he is suffering from inner anguish. He finds himself unable to articulate the cause of his sorrow. This grief is affecting even his faculties of perception—he can neither see nor hear properly. For any thoughtful person, it is natural to become impatient when faced with a problem and to seek its swift resolution in order to attain peace. Poor Arjun has made great efforts through his intellect to solve his dilemma, yet he has not succeeded. As his own words make clear, his suffering is no longer about acquiring material possessions, for he himself declares that even the kingdom of all the earth or of heaven could not relieve his anguish. Now Arjun's condition resembles that of an ardent seeker of liberation, one who has become impatient to be freed from all the limitations and bondages of mortal existence. What is needed now is only an authentic wisdom, which the Blessed Lord Hrishikesha Himself bestows upon him in the divine poetry of the Bhagavad Gita.