Quiz · 2.1–2.10
The friend refuses the collapse
Cover the answer. Read the Devanagari of the verse before you open it.
1
In 2.7, what form is śādhi (शाधि), and what has Arjuna just said he is?
Answer
Imperative, second person singular, of śās (शास्): instruct, direct. He has said शिष्यः ते अहम् śiṣyas te aham, "I am your student," and mām tvām prapannam (माम् त्वाम् प्रपन्नम्), me who have come to you for refuge.
2
योत्स्ये + इति yotsye + iti in 2.9. What is recited, and what happened to the e (ए)?
Answer
na yotsya iti (न योत्स्य इति). ए + इ e + i becomes अ + इ a + i: the e (ए) becomes short a (अ), and iti (इति) keeps its i (इ). There is no avagraha, because the vowel that followed was i (इ). The e (ए) of yotsye (योत्स्ये) is the ending that says "I shall."
3
What does 2.9 say happened after Arjuna spoke to Hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश)?
Answer
Having spoken thus to Hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश), he said to Govinda (गोविन्द) "I will not fight," and became silent.
4
From 2.2 through 2.10, what does the friend demand, what does Arjuna ask, and where is the smile?
Answer
Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण) tells him the faintness does not fit and to stand up. Arjuna asks how he can fight Bhīṣma (भीष्म) and Droṇa (द्रोण), sets a beggar's meal above a blood-smeared one, says he cannot weigh winning against losing, and asks to be taught what is better, as a student come for refuge. He says he will not fight and goes silent. Hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश), almost smiling, speaks to the despairing man in the middle of both armies.
5
Say back the sentence that shows he has handed the decision over. Which word fails the sitting if it is missing?
Answer
śiṣyas te 'haṃ śādhi māṃ tvāṃ prapannam (शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम्). If śiṣyaḥ (शिष्यः) is missing, he has only described the misery.