Verse 2
व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे | तदेकं वद निश्चित्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम् || २ ||
Transliteration
vyāmiśreṇeva vākyena buddhiṁ mohayasīva me tad ekaṁ vada niścitya yena śreyo 'ham āpnuyām
Synonyms
vyāmiśreṇa—by ambiguous; iva—seemingly; vākyena—words; buddhim—intelligence; mohayasi—You are bewildering; iva—as if; me—my; tat—therefore; ekam—one; vada—please tell; niścitya—definitely; yena—by which; śreyaḥ—the ultimate good; aham—I; āpnuyām—may obtain.
Translation
“My intellect is bewildered by Your seemingly contradictory words. Therefore, please tell me decisively that one path by which I may attain the highest good.”
Multi-Tradition Commentary
Arjuna is confused and seeks a clear, single directive. This is the predicament of many seekers: they hear spiritual teachings from different angles and feel confused rather than illumined. Krishna will now provide a systematic answer showing that knowledge and action are not contradictory but are integrated in the life of a realized person.
Practical Application (Modern Life)
When spiritual teachings seem contradictory, pause and recognize this as an invitation to go deeper rather than a reason to despair. The desire for a single clear path is natural and good — it signals genuine readiness to receive guidance. Approach a qualified teacher or text with this same directness that Arjuna models here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 3.2 mean?
My intellect is bewildered by Your seemingly contradictory words. Therefore, please tell me decisively that one path by which I may attain the highest good.
What is the word-by-word meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.2?
vyāmiśreṇa—by ambiguous; iva—seemingly; vākyena—words; buddhim—intelligence; mohayasi—You are bewildering; iva—as if; me—my; tat—therefore; ekam—one; vada—please tell; niścitya—definitely; yena—by which; śreyaḥ—the ultimate good; aham—I; āpnuyām—may obtain.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.2 in daily life?
When spiritual teachings seem contradictory, pause and recognize this as an invitation to go deeper rather than a reason to despair. The desire for a single clear path is natural and good — it signals genuine readiness to receive guidance. Approach a qualified teacher or text with this same directness that Arjuna models here.