Bhagavad Gita 1.47 — Evam Uktva Arjunah Sankhye — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १.४७ — एवमुक्त्वार्जुनः संख्ये
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
सञ्जयः उवाच
sañjayaḥ uvācha
Sanjaya said
एवम् उक्त्वा
evam uktvā
speaking thus; having said this
अर्जुनः
arjunaḥ
Arjuna
संख्ये
saṅkhye
on the battlefield
रथोपस्थे
ratha-upasthe
on the seat of the chariot
उपाविशत्
upāviśhat
sat down
विसृज्य
visṛijya
casting aside; setting down
सशरम्
sa-śharam
along with the arrows
चापम्
chāpam
the bow
शोक
śhoka
with grief; sorrow
संविग्न
saṁvigna
distressed; agitated
मानसः
mānasaḥ
mind
Complete Translation
Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus on the battlefield, Arjuna cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the seat of the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with sorrow.
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 47
Author: Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva)
Period: Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)
After voicing his anguish over fighting his kinsmen and teachers, Arjuna is left utterly disheartened. In this concluding verse of Chapter 1, Sanjaya tells Dhritarashtra how Arjuna let his bow and arrows slip from his hands and sank onto the chariot seat, his mind drowned in sorrow — the moment that gives way to Krishna's teaching in the chapters to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in Bhagavad Gita 1.47?▼
In the closing verse of the first chapter, Arjuna, overwhelmed by grief, casts aside his bow and arrows and sits down on the seat of the chariot. Sanjaya narrates this moment to the blind king Dhritarashtra.
Which bow does Arjuna set down?▼
Arjuna sets down Gandiva, his famous divine bow, along with his arrows. For the greatest archer of his age to lay down his weapon shows how completely sorrow and confusion had overcome him.
Why does the first chapter end on a note of despair?▼
The chapter is called Arjuna Vishada Yoga — the yoga of Arjuna's grief. It ends with his collapse so that the very next chapter can begin Krishna's teaching, turning Arjuna's despair into the occasion for the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita.
What does this verse teach the spiritual seeker?▼
It teaches that there are moments when our own efforts and ego must be set aside. Like Arjuna laying down his bow, the seeker who admits helplessness and turns to the Lord opens the door to receiving true guidance and grace.
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