The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair

Arjuna's crisis becomes viscerally physical: 'sīdanti mama gātrāṇi'—limbs quivering, 'mukhaṁ pariśuṣyati'—mouth completely drying ('pari-' means thoroughly), 'vepathuḥ'—trembling, 'romaharṣaḥ'—hair standing on end. His body revolts before his mind can rationalize. Modern neuroscience confirms this: when asked to violate core values, your autonomic nervous system responds first. Arjuna's symptoms aren't weakness—they're embodied wisdom screaming that killing kinsmen is profoundly wrong. The teaching: your body's reaction can be wiser than your strategic mind. Shaking limbs and standing hair aren't cowardice—they're your whole being recognizing moral crisis.