Verse 2.8

Verse 2.8: “For, I fail to perceive what could dispel the grief that would dry up all my senses, even though I were to secure on Earth an affluent and rival-less sovereignty, or even the Overlordship of the Gods.” (64)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

The distress caused in my mind by the tragic sight of this whole family facing destruction cannot be removed by any remedy other than your advice. The delusion which is created in my mind can no longer be dispelled by the prospect of the highest worldly kingdom or the very seat of the great Indra. Just as a seed entirely roasted and sown even in a fertile soil watered plentifully cannot germinate; or medicines prove unavailing when the very vitals of life have dried up, there being only one thing viz. the great ambrosia that proves efficacious there. In the same way I am not enamoured of the (prospective) enjoyment of the absolute sovereignty, the wealth of your sympathetic favour being my sole support here.” Thus said Dhanurdhara being momentarily free from delusion; but the wave of illusion having returned he again became overpowered. Jnaneshwar said, it was not a wave of stupor but quite a different thing. The old Dragon in the form of great delusion had completely overpowered Partha. It (Dragon) bit Partha in the very vitals of his heart causing spasms of grief repeatedly. Seeing this serious occasion, that snake-charmer Shriranga, a mere glance of whose eye could prove an antidote to the venom, arrived to ward off the danger. Although Partha had become so helpless, Lord Krishna, who was near him could still protect him merely with a kind look. (And) therefore (I) knowingly used that simile here and said that the son of Pandu was devoured by the Dragon in the form of delusion. Thus Partha was overpowered by delusion, just as the Sun is screened by a curtain of clouds; Dhanurdhara got extremely distressed just as a high mountain is screened by the wild (forest) fire in hot season. And therefore Meghashyama—Lord Krishna—turned towards Arjuna like a big cloud, being naturally blue-coloured, and full of Amrita (nectar) water in the form of mercy. Lord! the lustre of Lord Krishna’s white teeth began to glitter like lightning, his formidable voice thundering like clouds. Now that generous cloud in the form of Lord Krishna, will pour over the Partha mountain thereby cooling it and making it bear foliage of knowledge. Jnaneshwar [Jnaneshvara], the servant of Nivritti, requested his audience to hear with concentration that story.