Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 6 (BG 2.6) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

The two verses preceding this one undoubtedly indicate Arjuna's mental disturbance and confused state. In this verse, it is being shown that the confusion in Arjuna's mind has affected his discriminative intellect as well. Upon witnessing the army of enemies, a problem arose in his mind, and for its resolution, he needed the guidance of intellectual discernment and wisdom. However, due to his ego and excessive anxiety regarding the consequences of war, his mind had become separated from his intellect. For this reason, a deep chasm had formed between Arjuna's mind and intellect. Like a skilled clerk in an office, our mind receives various subjects through the sense organs and presents them in an organized manner before the intellect for decision-making. The intellect renders judgment based on its prior experiences, which the mind then expresses in the external world through the organs of action. This entire process continues in every moment of our waking state. When these faculties do not function smoothly as an organized team or group of individuals, that person becomes internally disorganized and becomes incapable of successfully facing the circumstances that arise in life. When through knowledge, harmony is restored between mind and intellect, that very person becomes capable of performing his duties skillfully. Arjuna's faculty of judgment was not affected by external circumstances, but rather, due to his own mental turmoil, he found himself incapable of making any decision. He could not determine whether he should emerge victorious in war or whether he should defeat the Kauravas. Vyasa demonstrates here that the effect of this delusion had fallen not only upon Arjuna's mind but upon his intellect as well.