kṛpayā parayāviṣṭo viṣīdann idam abravīt arjuna uvāca dṛṣṭvemaṁ sva-janaṁ kṛṣṇa yuyutsuṁ samupasthitam
"Overcome with deep compassion, despondent, Arjuna spoke: O Krishna, seeing my own people gathered here, eager to fight..."
What This Means:
Arjuna is overcome by 'kripa' (compassion) that paralyzes him. The warrior who was ready to fight moments ago now can't lift his bow. Seeing his family, he's despondent (vishidan).
Going Deeper:
This 'kripa' looks like compassion but is actually attachment dressed as virtue. True compassion would see the larger picture. Arjuna's grief, while understandable, is rooted in 'sva-jana' (MY people)—personal attachment.
How To Apply This:
Sometimes what feels like compassion is actually attachment or fear in disguise. Real compassion sees clearly and acts wisely. Emotional paralysis, while feeling virtuous, can be a form of avoidance.
Key Sanskrit Terms: