The questions Arjuna had to ask

kiṃ tad brahma kimadhyātmaṃ kiṃ karma puruṣottamaadhibhūtaṃ ca kiṃ proktamadhidaivaṃ kimucyate

What is Brahman? What is the Self? What is action, highest of beings? What rules the world of matter, and the gods?

What it means

At the close of the last chapter, Krishna used several weighty words without stopping to explain them. Arjuna won't let them pass. He asks about Brahman, the infinite reality, and about karma, action itself. He asks what governs matter and what governs the powers of nature. He wants a map of everything.

The story

Two armies wait in the morning light. Arjuna could simply nod and pick up his bow. Instead he slows down and asks, one term at a time, like a student who refuses to pretend he understands.

In your life

Think of your first week in a new job, when every meeting is full of acronyms. The bravest person there is the one who raises a hand and asks. This week, ask the question you've been too proud to ask.