अर्जुन उवाच । ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन । तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव ॥ १ ॥
arjuna uvācha jyāyasī chet karmaṇas te matā buddhir janārdana tat kiṁ karmaṇi ghore māṁ niyojayasi keśhava
Translation
Arjun said: O Janardan, if you consider understanding superior to action, then why do you urge me into this terrible deed, O Keshav?
Hindi Meaning (हिंदी अर्थ)
अर्जुन बोले: हे जनार्दन! यदि आप कर्म की अपेक्षा बुद्धि (ज्ञान) को श्रेष्ठ मानते हैं, तो हे केशव! मुझे इस भयंकर कर्म में क्यों लगाते हैं?
Commentary
Arjun has heard Krishna praise the steady intellect (2.49) and describe a sage content within, and draws a natural conclusion: if knowledge is higher, why fight at all? Chapter 3 is Krishna's answer — the case for action — which is why it is called Karma Yoga.