External victory cannot eliminate internal sorrow.

As a disciple seeking teachings, Arjuna explains his reason. He says that he is experiencing such sadness that it dulls his senses, and he doesn't know what can remove it. Even if he were to obtain a prosperous kingdom on earth without any enemies, he says this sorrow would not disappear.

Furthermore, even if one gains dominion over the gods, it will not be resolved. Suffering cannot be filled by status, power, or victory. Therefore, what Arjuna seeks is not a method to make the outcome of battle favorable. It is a certain path that transcends external conditions, removes the root of sorrow itself, and leads to lasting happiness.

Japanese Translation from the Geeta Press Edition - Chapter 2, Section 8: "What can remove this sorrow?"

Thus, Arjuna, who primarily prayed for guidance and instruction, explains the reason for his prayer. Within that explanation, he also expresses feelings of being burdened.

Sanskrit original text

न हि प्रपश्यामि ममापनुद्याद्
यच्छोकमुच्छोषणमिन्द्रियाणाम् ।
अवाप्य भूमावसपत्नमृद्धं
राज्यं सुराणामपि चाधिपत्यम् ॥ ८ ॥

Romanization

na hi prapaśyāmi mamāpanudyād
yac chokam ucchoṣaṇam indriyāṇām |
avāpya bhūmāv asapatnam ṛddhaṃ
rājyaṃ surāṇām api cādhipatyam || 8 ||

The meaning and translation of section 8 will continue on the next page.

"Even if I were to obtain a prosperous kingdom on this earth, free from enemies, and even if I were to gain dominion over the gods, I cannot find anything that will remove this sorrow which is numbing my senses." (8)

Following Krishna's urging for Arjuna to face the enemy and fight, Arjuna stated here: "The best possible outcome that can be expected from this battle is perhaps achieving sovereignty on earth by eliminating all enemies through victory."

However, the more he thought about this problem, the more he felt that even if he gained sovereignty over the earth and dominion over the gods, it would not eliminate the sadness of having his senses dulled.

Therefore, he is praying to the Lord that He will show us a certain and error-free path that eliminates sadness and brings eternal happiness and bliss.