Meaning
Arjuna spoke
Overwhelmed by the burden of pity and confused about my duty, I seek your guidance as a disciple. I am under your shelter; enlighten me on the right course of action. (2:7)
Sanskrit
अर्जुन उवाच
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः ।
यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ॥
Word-by-word
कार्पण्य-दोषः-उप-हत-स्वभावः,
पृच्छामि त्वाम् धर्म-सम्मूढ-चेताः! यत् श्रेयः स्यात्, निश्चितम् ब्रूहि तत् मे, शिष्यः ते अहम्, शाधि माम्, त्वाम् प्र-पन्नम्!!
Commentary
The Sanskrit term “Karpanyam” (कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः) in the verse holds multiple meanings. Apte’s Practical Sanskrit English Dictionary outlines four interpretations: Poverty, indigence, wretchedness; Compassion, pity; Niggardliness, imbecility; Levity, lightness of spirit. However, none of these alone fully capture Arjuna’s mental state, which is a mix of various emotions. While Apte leans towards “niggardliness, imbecility,” it doesn’t entirely convey the depth of Arjuna’s inner conflict. Pity for those who will be slain seems to be the most prominent among the complex emotions he’s experiencing at this moment.