Gita 01.30 When we face challenges bigger than ourselves, we look for omens to sense the intentions of forces bigger than ourselves

 

Audio Link 1: Gita 01.30 When we face challenges bigger than ourselves, we look for omens to sense the intentions of forces bigger than ourselves

 

na ca śaknomy avasthātuṁ

bhramatīva ca me manaḥ

nimittāni ca paśyāmi

viparītāni keśava (Bg 1.30)

 

Word-for-word:

na — nor; ca — also; śaknomi — am I able; avasthātum — to stay; bhramati — forgetting; iva — as; ca — and; me — my; manaḥ — mind; nimittāni — causes; ca — also; paśyāmi — I see; viparītāni — just the opposite; keśava — O killer of the demon Keśī (Kṛṣṇa).

 

Translation:

I am now unable to stand here any longer. I am forgetting myself, and my mind is reeling. I see only causes of misfortune, O Kṛṣṇa, killer of the Keśī demon.

 

Explanation:

Here, Arjuna is speaking, expressing that he is unable to maintain his composure. He finds himself incapable of functioning in a reasonably balanced way due to the situation he is currently facing. What is this situation? Arjuna is overwhelmed by the prospect of fighting against his opponents—who are, in fact, his own loved ones, his own relatives. It is understandable that fighting against them would be mortifying for him. Thus, he says:

na ca śaknomy avasthātuṁ: “It is difficult for me to stay where I am because I am so overwhelmed.”

bhramatīva ca me manaḥ: “My mind is wandering here and there.”

nimittāni ca paśyāmi viparītāni, keśava: “I am seeing inauspicious signs everywhere, O Keśava.”

 

The point is that all the symptoms Arjuna is experiencing at the physical level—such as body trembling, hair standing on end, and so on—are inauspicious omens. He is trying to figure out how to deal with these emotions properly but realizes that he is unable to do so. He feels, “I cannot stay here any longer,” and finds himself unable to think clearly about what to do or what not to do.

 

Arjuna is expressing the futility of action when everything seems inauspicious. When we undertake a particular task—especially if it is challenging—we seek all the help we can get. Anyone who has gone through life and endeavored to achieve something worthwhile knows that life doesn’t come easy. There are no shortcuts to success, and even with hard work, much remains beyond human control, influencing the results.

 

Therefore, performers embarking on a stupendously challenging course of action often look for signs indicating whether things are likely to work out. In such situations, it’s important to recognize that this isn’t fatalism—it’s akin to checking the weather. If someone is about to embark on a difficult journey, like climbing a mountain, they understand that a lot needs to be done, and it won’t be easy. They focus on what is within their control but also work towards dealing with the uncontrollable. How well they climb the mountain is in their hands, but the weather is not. If rough weather is predicted, the mountaineers may choose to defer their climb until conditions are less inclement.

 

Similarly, Arjuna is seeing all these inauspicious signs. A warrior is usually heroic and fearless—warriors don’t back down even in the face of difficult challenges. However, when confronted with this particular challenge, Arjuna begins to question: Is this really the right time to fight? Is this even a war we want to fight?

 

While performance matters, it is not the only factor. Destiny also plays a role. Recognizing the importance of destiny helps bring clarity, perspective, and a sense of balance regarding what needs to be done and what can be left undone.

 

Here, Arjuna questions whether he should even be on the battlefield, given that he is seeing all these inauspicious signs. Quite often, a racing mind either drives us wild or makes us completely stationary, unable to move at all. Arjuna says that he is seeing only causes of misfortune and indicators of impending calamities, causing him to lose his resolve to stay.

 

When the mind spirals out of control, it becomes very difficult to function in any normal or reasonable way. All of us have certain triggers that cause our minds to go wild. It’s not that everything sets off everyone’s mind, but we all have specific triggers. When a particular thought is triggered within us, our minds can become unruly, and we find ourselves incapable of doing much in that state.

 

For example, an alcoholic may lose control when they see alcohol, thinking, “I somehow have to get this.” For others, the triggers are different. For a cricket fan, it might be the news of a cricket update—like the dismissal of their favorite batsman—that sends their mind racing.

 

When we understand that each of us has to face challenges, we can navigate these difficulties more gracefully if we maintain perspective. However, if we lose that perspective, it becomes nearly impossible to face our challenges. Omens can indicate that something significant is about to go wrong, which can make us lose heart.

 

Arjuna recognizes that he must fight against his relatives, and he notices his own body manifesting symptoms of inauspiciousness. The same inauspiciousness he perceives on the battlefield is reflected in his own physical state, leaving him feeling agonized, mortified, and distressed. He struggles to figure out how to move forward and what actions to take, which leads to the predicament he voices in this verse.

 

Thank you.