Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 1 (BG 2.1) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

The second chapter begins with Sanjaya's account, wherein he portrays with carefully chosen words the sorrowful and despondent state of Arjuna's mind. Arjuna's heart has been overwhelmed by compassion and despair. Through this depiction, it becomes evident that Arjuna has become not the master of circumstances, but their victim. Thus, a weak person, having become prey to circumstances, fails at every opportunity in life's struggle. In his state of hopelessness, Arjuna had become the victim of such external circumstances. In describing Arjuna's condition of sorrow, Sanjaya also signals to us that his inner being had been shattered and deep fissures had appeared in his character. Despite being the greatest archer of his time, he wept like an ordinary young woman. Thus, overwhelmed by compassion and grief, weeping without tears, Arjuna heard the following words spoken by Madhusudana—the Lord Sri Krishna, the slayer of the demon Madhu. It is noteworthy here that modern psychology regards weeping without tears as the extreme state of mental disturbance.