Ghora Natha

The Immeasurable Doubt of Arjuna

Ghora Natha


Seeing the two armies in battle order 
Seeing the invincible heroes on both sides 
Teachers, uncles, brothers, and other kinsmen 
Seeing all these very familiar faces 

It is better to live in this world even by begging 
Than to slay these honored souls ! 

By slaying them I would enjoy in this world 
Delights which are smeared in blood! 

I can not consent to kill these men 
I can not slay my own people in the fight 
How can I kill Bhisma and Drona with arrows 
These noble souls are only worthy of worship 

It is better to live in this world even by begging 
Than to slay these honored souls ! 

By slaying them I would enjoy in this world 
Delights which are smeared in blood! 

My bow Gandiva slips from my hand 
My skin too is burning all over 
I am not able to stand steady on my feet 

What to do!!! 
Shall I fight?! 
Torn by doubt!!! 
Troubled mind!!! 

Acyuta! Hrishikesha! Vasudeva! Kesava! 
Madhava! Govinda! Yadava! Janardana! 

I do not see what will drive away this sorrow 
Which has dried up my senses and my heart 
Even if I could obtain rich and unrivalled kingdom 
On earth or even the sovereignty of the gods 

It is better to live in this world even by begging 
Than to slay these honored souls ! 

By slaying them I would enjoy in this world 
Delights which are smeared in blood! 

My bow Gandiva slips from my hand 
My skin too is burning all over 
I am not able to stand steady on my feet 

What to do!!! 
Shall I fight?! 
Torn by doubt!!! 
Troubled mind!!! 

Acyuta! Hrishikesha! Vasudeva! Kesava! 
Madhava! Govinda! Yadava! Janardana! 

My limbs tremble 
My mouth goes dry 
My body shakes