Gita : Ch-2. Slo-10.

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita  :

Chapter-2. ( Samkya-yogam )

Slokam-10. (  O, descendant of Bharata, at that time Krishna, smiling, in the midst of both the armies, spoke the following words to the grief-stricken Arjuna. )



Tamuvaca     hrshikesah      prahasanniva     bharata,


Senayor-ubhayor-madhye   vishidantamidam    vacah.




bharatah   =   o,  king  dhratarashtra;

ubhayoh    senayo    madhyeh    =   in   between     two    armies;

vishidantam     tam    =    unto the lamenting one   (  to  Arjuna   ),   the following;

hrshikesah    prahasan    iva    =     sri Krishna,    with   smile;

idam      vacah       uvaca    =     thus,     spoke.





What happened then after this?  In answer it is stated: to Arjuna who was lamenting between the two armies the Supreme Lord spoke as if smiling , meaning spoke with a beaming countenance. 


Lord Krishna, the resplendent one, situated between the two armies, with a slight smile upon His face spoke to the grief stricken Arjuna who was enveloped by the entanglement of fraternal delusion


The talk was going on between intimate friends, namely the Hrishikesa and the Gudakesa. As friends, both of them were on the same level, but one of them voluntarily became a student of the other. Krishna was smiling because a friend had chosen to become a disciple. As Lord of all, He is always in the superior position as the master of everyone, and yet the Lord accepts one who wishes to be a friend, a son, a lover or a devotee, or who wants Him in such a role. But when He was accepted as the master, He at once assumed the role and talked with the disciple like the master—with gravity, as it is required. It appears that the talk between the master and the disciple was openly exchanged in the presence of both armies so that all were benefitted. So the talks of Bhagavadgeeta are not for any particular person, society, or community, but they are for all, and friends or enemies are equally entitled to hear them.


In this way although Arjuna had decided to refrain from the battle still Dhratarashtra should not expect that the future of his sons was to be bright and happy as long as the Supreme Lord Krishna, the controller of the animate and inanimate who descended personally to destroy the miscreants is present in this world. To emphasize this reality Sanjaya said to him O Bharata referring to his anscestor, the great monarch of all the world King Bharata telling frankly that the joy he is feeling regarding Arjuna's seemingly abstention from the battle and the termination of the war was not appropriate. 


Lord Krishna with a subtle smile upon his face then spoke to Arjuna who was lamenting at a most inappropriate time between the  two opposing armies. The word prahasan meaning smiling is used to subtlely indicate sarcasam and evoke anger at the impropriety of such limpid sensitivity by Arjuna who in his own right is a mighty warrior respected and reknowed by all the mightiest warriors of his time. This smile indicating sarcasm is justified by the use of the word iva as it were indicating that due to the nature of the situation, being the  two armies immediately ready for battle, Arjuna's reluctancy and Lord Krishna accepting him as a disciple. So in order to substantiate Arjuna's fitness to receive spiritual knowledge this subtle smile is used to remove any lingering vestiges of pride Arjuna might have had regarding his knowledge, intelligence and prowess. 

To be continued ...