ॐMantra.Tips
bhagavad-gitagitakrishnasankhya-yoga

Bhagavad Gita 2.7 — Karpanya-doshopahata-svabhavah

Bhagavad Gita 2.7 — Karpanya-doshopahata-svabhavah in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 During morning prayer, at the start of Gita study, or in moments of confusion when seeking guidance·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 7
Share:

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగుதமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡമലയാളംગુજરાતીবাংলাଓଡ଼ିଆਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

This verse marks the great turning point of the Bhagavad Gita. Overwhelmed and confused about his duty, Arjuna lays down his pride, accepts that he is faint-hearted, and surrenders to Krishna as a disciple. He begs Krishna to tell him decisively what is truly beneficial. It is the moment of humble surrender (sharanagati) that opens the door to the entire teaching of the Gita.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 7 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the second chapter, Sankhya Yoga, Arjuna's grief reaches its climax. Having refused to fight and sunk into despair, he finally recognises that he cannot resolve his crisis alone. In this verse he surrenders completely to Krishna as a disciple and begs for clear guidance, prompting Krishna to begin the central teaching of the Gita.

✦ As told in scripture

Devotional tradition holds that the moment a seeker sincerely says 'I am Your disciple; I take refuge in You,' as Arjuna does here, the Lord Himself assumes responsibility for guiding that soul — and the grace of the entire Gita begins to flow.

The Mantra

Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited

kārpaṇya-doṣhopahata-svabhāvaḥ pṛichchhāmi tvāṁ dharma-sammūḍha-chetāḥ yach-chhreyaḥ syānniśhchitaṁ brūhi tanme śhiṣhyaste ’haṁ śhādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam

Meaning:My very nature is overpowered by the taint of faint-heartedness; my mind is confused about my duty. I ask You: tell me decisively what is truly good for me. I am Your disciple; please instruct me, who have taken refuge in You.

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

kārpaṇya-doṣha🔊the flaw of cowardice / faint-heartedness
upahata🔊besieged, overcome
sva-bhāvaḥ🔊nature
pṛichchhāmi🔊I am asking
tvām🔊to you
dharma🔊duty
sammūḍha🔊confused
chetāḥ🔊in heart
yat🔊what
śhreyaḥ🔊best, most beneficial
syāt🔊may be
niśhchitam🔊decisively
brūhi🔊tell
tat🔊that
me🔊to me
śhiṣhyaḥ🔊disciple
te🔊your
aham🔊I
śhādhi🔊please instruct
mām🔊me
tvām🔊unto you
prapannam🔊surrendered

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 2.7 — Karpanya-doshopahata-svabhavah

✦

Teaches the supreme value of humility and surrender (sharanagati)

✦

Models how to approach a guru — as a disciple, seeking what is truly good

✦

Dissolves ego and the pretence of self-sufficiency in times of crisis

✦

Brings peace by handing one's confusion over to the Divine

✦

Inspires the seeker to ask for 'shreyas' (the truly beneficial) over 'preyas' (the merely pleasant)

✦

Opens the heart to receive higher wisdom and guidance

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 2.7 — Karpanya-doshopahata-svabhavah

Repetitions11times
Best TimeDuring morning prayer, at the start of Gita study, or in moments of confusion when seeking guidance

Recite this verse whenever the mind is troubled and unsure of the right course. Chant it slowly, internalising Arjuna's humility, and offer your own confusion to the Lord with the same spirit of surrender. It is especially powerful before seeking guidance or making a difficult decision; let the words 'shishyas te aham' (I am Your disciple) soften the ego and invite divine direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Bhagavad Gita 2.7 — Karpanya-doshopahata-svabhavah written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.
Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.
In this verse Arjuna stops arguing and surrenders. He admits his weakness, declares himself Krishna's disciple, and asks to be taught. This act of humble surrender is what transforms the conversation from Arjuna's lament into the divine instruction of the Gita.
'Karpanya-dosha' refers to the flaw of faint-heartedness or miserly weakness — a petty, helpless state of mind. Arjuna confesses that his true nature has been overcome by this weakness, which is why he cannot think clearly about his duty.
Shreyas is that which is ultimately good and beneficial, even if difficult; preyas is that which is merely pleasant or agreeable. Arjuna specifically asks for shreyas — what is truly good for him — showing his readiness to receive higher guidance.
It teaches that genuine guidance comes when we set aside ego and approach a teacher or the Divine with humility. When confused, surrendering sincerely and asking for what is truly beneficial — rather than insisting on our own way — opens the path to clarity.

You May Also Like

Gita Dhyanamगीता ध्यानम्Sarva Dharman Parityajya (Bhagavad Gita 18.66)सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्यKarmanye Vadhikaraste (Bhagavad Gita 2.47)कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्तेTad Viddhi Pranipatena (Bhagavad Gita 4.34)तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेनKrishna Mantraकृष्ण मंत्रHare Krishna Mahamantraहरे कृष्ण महामंत्र

Found this helpful? Share it with loved ones 🙏

Share:

ॐ

Read the full Bhagavad Gita 2.7 — Karpanya-doshopahata-svabhavah with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts

Full Bhagavad Gita 2.7 — Karpanya-doshopahata-svabhavah (Devanagari)All MantrasFind by Purpose