Gita 02.06 The Decision That Seems A No – Brainer Turns Out To Be A Brain – Exhauster

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na caitad vidmaḥ kataran no garīyo
yad vā jayema yadi vā no jayeyuḥ
yān eva hatvā na jijīviṣāmas
te ’vasthitāḥ pramukhe dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ (Bg 2.06)

Word-for-word:
na — nor; ca — also; etat — this; vidmaḥ — do we know; katarat — which; naḥ — for us; garīyaḥ — better; yat vā — whether; jayema — we may conquer; yadi — if; vā — or; naḥ — us; jayeyuḥ — they conquer; yān — those who; eva — certainly; hatvā — by killing; na — never; jijīviṣāmaḥ — we would want to live; te — all of them; avasthitāḥ — are situated; pramukhe — in the front; dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ — the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra.

Translation:
Nor do we know which is better – conquering them or being conquered by them. If we killed the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, we should not care to live. Yet they are now standing before us on the battlefield.

Explanation:
In this verse, Arjuna tells Kṛṣṇa:
na caitad vidmaḥ kataran no garīyo : “I am confused and undecided. I do not know which option is better.”
yad vā jayema yadi vā no jayeyuḥ : “Whether I should win or let them win.”
Normally, this kind of choice would seem a no-brainer. In any confrontation—should I win or should I lose?—you would naturally think, “Yes, I should win. I want to win.” Why, then, has such an apparent no-brainer become so difficult for Arjuna?
The reason is explained:
yān eva hatvā na jijīviṣāmas : “If we kill them,
te ’vasthitāḥ pramukhe dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ : we will win, but the victory will be so hollow that far from enjoying it, we will feel as if life itself is no longer worth living. The very people—the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra—whose death would bring this hollow victory now stand before me, poised and ready to fight.”

A particular type of victory is known as a ‘pyrrhic’ victory, where the cost of achieving the victory far exceeds the gains. For example, an army might fight at a great expense of money, manpower, and time to conquer a specific kingdom. However, if that kingdom is so impoverished that the wealth, power, or resources gained from the victory are negligible, the victory becomes pyrrhic.

Similarly, Arjuna feels that what would normally be a no-brainer has become anything but straightforward. The term ‘no-brainer’ refers to a decision so obvious that even someone with ‘no brain’ could make it—no intelligence is required. However, in this case, it is not a no-brainer but rather a brain-exhauster, brain-tormentor, or brain-puzzler.

Yet, it is more than just a brain-puzzler. Unlike solving crossword puzzles or riddles, which may challenge the mind but have little impact on practical life, this decision is deeply significant for Arjuna. It is not only a torment for his brain but also a torment for his heart.

This choice will profoundly affect his life, determining whether he wins or loses the war. More importantly, it will decide the fate of his loved ones—whether they live or die, whether he survives, or whether he and those fighting alongside him perish. The consequences of this decision are catastrophic, making it an intensely agonizing dilemma.

Arjuna’s predicament reflects a universal human condition—the challenge of making decisions without a clear framework or sufficient resources to guide us. This lack of clarity often leaves us struggling to determine the right course of action.

Therefore, it becomes essential for each of us to strive conscientiously to equip ourselves with the tools needed to make better decisions. The Bhagavad-gītā serves as an invaluable, indispensable, and irreplaceable resource that can aid us toward making sound and well-informed choices.

Each of us strives to connect with our all-attractive Lord and act in a mood of loving service to Him. When our actions are guided by a loving intention rooted in higher wisdom, we can progress steadily in life, enriching our relationship with Kṛṣṇa and ultimately attaining Him.

When we are devoted to Kṛṣṇa, this loving spirit becomes our barometer for determining how best to serve Him.

Imagine traveling through a desert or forest and losing your way. If you find a compass—or, in today’s world, a Google map—you can make far better decisions based on the guidance provided. Similarly, the input Kṛṣṇa gives us through the Bhagavad-gītā serves as a compass for our lives.

The Gītā provides an overarching framework for decision-making, enabling us to evaluate what should be done, what should be avoided, and which direction we want to take in life. This kind of guidance is invaluable for moving constructively and purposefully.

The Bhagavad-gītā offers this gift to elevate Arjuna from confusion to resolution, from resolution to elevation, and ultimately to purification and liberation.

Thank you.