कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः । यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ॥ ७ ॥
kārpaṇya-doṣhopahata-svabhāvaḥ pṛichchhāmi tvāṁ dharma-sammūḍha-chetāḥ yach-chhreyaḥ syānniśhchitaṁ brūhi tanme śhiṣhyaste ’haṁ śhādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam
Translation
My nature is overcome by the weakness of pity, and my mind is confused about my duty. I ask you: tell me for certain what is best for me. I am your disciple; I have taken refuge in you — instruct me.
Hindi Meaning (हिंदी अर्थ)
कायरता रूपी दोष से मेरा स्वभाव दब गया है और धर्म के विषय में मेरा चित्त मोहित है। मैं आपसे पूछता हूँ — जो निश्चित रूप से कल्याणकारी हो, वह मुझे बताइए। मैं आपका शिष्य हूँ, आपकी शरण में आया हूँ; मुझे शिक्षा दीजिए।
Commentary
This is the turning point of the entire Gita. Until now Arjun has been arguing with Krishna as a friend; now he says "śhiṣhyas te 'haṁ" — I am your disciple — and "tvāṁ prapannam" — I surrender to you. Traditional commentators say real teaching can only begin at this moment: when a person admits they do not know and sincerely asks. Everything Krishna says from here on is an answer to this request.