Verse-10
Chapter 2 — Sānkhya Yog
Verse 10
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
tamuvāca hṛṣīkeśaḥ prahasanniva bhārata
senayorubhayormadhye viṣīdantimadaṁ vacaḥ
🕉 English Translation
📜 Translation
English
O descendant of the Bharat dynasty, Dhritrashtra! Indwelling and all knowing Lord Shri Krishna standing in the midst of the two armies spoke to a despondent Arjun smilingly.
This was the apt moment for the sermon of the Gita and in actuality this was the necessity of the sermon. 'Shoka samvigna manasah' In the state of mind seeped in grief Arjun became silent earlier as well. There is a distinct difference between the situation then and now. The silence then was totally enveloped with despair and now it is after seeking refuge of the Lord. The shelter sought is incomplete and partial. Therefore, Lord Krishna before the commencement of the sermon smiled.
The main reason for the Blessed Lord's smile was Arjun's statement "I am your disciple but the decision will be mine only". "Prahaisanniv" (smilingly)–this is also a sarcastic smile, meaningful and also the nature of Govind. Sarcasm is targeted at the mental state of Arjun and also his oral surrender. The patient can engage in any meaningless talk but the person giving treatment should remain calm. Along with medicine the physician's calm and patient's attitude and its pleasant and natural expression towards the patient is also useful in curing the ailment. In any case, if the preacher himself becomes agitated and angry then it is doubtful that the preaching can become effective for the happiness and mental peace of listeners. Words originating from a calm and happy state of mind can become an inspiration for peace.
Shrimad Bhagvad Gita even today is a powerful inspiration for tension free, natural, calm and extremely peaceful life because it is an inner expression issuing forth from the supremely serene state of Lord Krishna. Arjun was engaged in useless ravings for quite some time; but Lord Krishna gave him a patient hearing and when Arjun became silent. He started preaching the great sermon of the Gita. Smile is inherent in Lord Krishna's nature. With his incarnation on the earth he found himself in several adverse situations but it made no difference to His natural smile. Probably that is why the Gita's preaching that makes us smile in every state and inspires others to smile became an immortal song.