kathyatām - let it be explained; me - to Me; pitaḥ - My dear father; kaḥ - what; ayam - this; sambhramaḥ - flurry of activity; vaḥ - upon you; upāgataḥ - come; kim - what; phalam - the consequence; kasya - for whose; vā - and; uddeśaḥ - sake; kena - by what means; vā - and; sādhyate - is to be accomplished; makhaḥ - this sacrifice.

[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] My dear father, kindly explain to Me what this great endeavor of yours is all about. What is it meant to accomplish? If this is a ritual sacrifice, then for whose satisfaction is it intended and by what means is it going to be executed?