vyāmiśreṇeva vākyena buddhiṁ mohayasīva me tad ekaṁ vada niścitya yena śreyo 'ham āpnuyām
"Your words seem contradictory and confuse my mind. Please tell me decisively the one path by which I can attain the highest good."
What This Means:
Arjuna says: 'You're confusing me! First you praise wisdom and detachment, then you tell me to fight. Which is it? Just give me ONE clear answer—what should I do to reach the highest good?'
Going Deeper:
Arjuna wants a simple, single answer. But reality is nuanced. Krishna has been teaching that wisdom AND action are both important—not contradictory, but complementary. The confusion is in Arjuna's either/or thinking, not in Krishna's teaching.
How To Apply This:
When spiritual teachings seem contradictory, the problem is often our either/or mindset. 'Be peaceful' AND 'take action' aren't opposites—peace is the internal state, action is the external response. Don't demand oversimplified answers to complex questions.
Key Sanskrit Terms: