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== गीतायाः पार्श्वभूमिः ॥ Background of the Gita ==

== गीतायाः पार्श्वभूमिः ॥ Background of the Gita ==

The Gita begins with the words of Dhritarashtra. <blockquote>धृतराष्ट्र उवाच | धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः । मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत संजय ॥१-१॥<ref name=":2">Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 1].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>dhr̥tarāṣṭra uvāca | dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ । māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāścaiva kimakurvata saṁjaya ॥1-1॥</blockquote>Meaning: Dhritarashtra said: What did the sons of Pandu and also my people do when they had assembled together, eager for battle on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?<ref name=":0" />

The Gita begins with the words of Dhrtarashtra. <blockquote>धृतराष्ट्र उवाच | धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः । मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत संजय ॥१-१॥<ref name=":2">Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 1].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>dhr̥tarāṣṭra uvāca | dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ । māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāścaiva kimakurvata saṁjaya ॥1-1॥</blockquote>Meaning: Dhrtarashtra said, What did the sons of Pandu (पण्डुः) and also my people do when they had assembled together, eager for battle on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?<ref name=":0" />

It is said that, when both sides were prepared to commence the battle, the sage Veda Vyasa approached blind Dhritarashtra and said, “If you wish to see this terrible carnage with your own eyes I can give you the gift of vision.” The Kaurava king replied, “O Chief of the Brahmarishis! I have no desire to see with my own eyes this slaughter of my family, but I should like to hear all the details of the battle.”

It is said that, when both sides were prepared to commence the battle, the sage Veda Vyasa approached blind Dhrtarashtra and said, “If you wish to see this terrible carnage with your own eyes I can give you the gift of vision.” The Kaurava Raja replied, “O Chief of the Brahmarishis! I have no desire to see with my own eyes this slaughter of my family, but I should like to hear all the details of the battle.”

Then the sage conferred the gift of divine vision on Sanjaya, the trusty counsellor of the king, and told the king, “Sanjaya will describe to you all the incidents of the war. Whatever happens in the course of the war, he will directly see, hear or otherwise come to know. Whether an incident takes place before his eyes or behind his back, during the day or during the night, privately or in public, and whether it is reduced to actual action or appears only in thought, it will not remain hidden from his view. He will come to know everything, exactly as it happens. No weapon will touch his body nor will he feel tired.”

Then the sage conferred the gift of divine vision on Sanjaya, the trusty counsellor of the Raja, and told the Raja, “Sanjaya will describe to you all the incidents of the war. Whatever happens in the course of the war, he will directly see, hear or otherwise come to know. Whether an incident takes place before his eyes or behind his back, during the day or during the night, privately or in public, and whether it is reduced to actual action or appears only in thought, it will not remain hidden from his view. He will come to know everything, exactly as it happens. No weapon will touch his body nor will he feel tired.”

After the ten days of continued war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, when the great warrior Bhishma was thrown down from his chariot by Arjuna, Sanjaya announces the news to Dhritarashtra. In agony the king asks Sanjaya to narrate the full details of the previous ten days war, from the very beginning, in all detail as it happened. Here commences the Bhagavad Gita.<ref>Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAGAVAD-GITA-By-SRI-SWAMI-SIVANANDA.pdf Bhagavad Gita], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society, Introduction.</ref>

After the ten days of continued war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, when the great warrior Bhishma was thrown down from his chariot by Arjuna, Sanjaya announces the news to Dhrtarashtra. In agony the Raja asks Sanjaya to narrate the full details of the previous ten days war, from the very beginning, in all detail as it happened. And here commences the Bhagavad Gita.<ref>Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAGAVAD-GITA-By-SRI-SWAMI-SIVANANDA.pdf Bhagavad Gita], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society, Introduction.</ref>

Here, Kurukshetra, the place of battle is referred to as Dharmakshetra. Sri Velukudi in his discourse, gives the etymology as follows:<blockquote>धर्मक्षयात् त्रायते इति धर्मक्षेत्रम् । dharmakṣayāt trāyate iti dharmakṣetram ।</blockquote>Meaning: That which saves Dharma from getting destroyed.

Here, Kurukshetra, the place of battle is referred to as Dharmakshetra. Sri Velukudi in his discourse, gives the etymology as follows:<blockquote>धर्मक्षयात् त्रायते इति धर्मक्षेत्रम् । dharmakṣayāt trāyate iti dharmakṣetram ।</blockquote>Meaning: That which saves Dharma from getting destroyed.

Also, the question posed by Dhritarashtra here, 'what his sons and Pandavas who have gone to wage war , are doing ?' is vital. Though it seems like an oxymoron, it has to be understood that it was Dhritarashtra's anxiety about Kauravas losing that made him raise this question. That is why Dhritarashtra is considered blind not just by sight, but also ignorant to jnana (knowledge). For, even though he knew that the Kauravas were at fault and were the sole reason for the war, he was blinded by the love for his sons.<ref name=":1" />

Also, the question posed by Dhrtarashtra here, 'what his sons and Pandavas who have gone to wage war , are doing ?' is vital. Though it seems like an oxymoron, it has to be understood that it was Dhrtarashtra's anxiety about Kauravas losing that made him raise this question. That is why Dhrtarashtra is considered blind not just by sight, but also ignorant to jnana (ज्ञानम् । knowledge). For, even though he knew that the Kauravas were at fault and were the sole reason for the war, he was blinded by the love for his sons.<ref name=":1" />

As a reply to the above shloka, Sanjaya begins to narrate the situation on the battle field and thus, begins the Bhagavad Gita. <blockquote>सञ्जय उवाच | दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा । आचार्यमुपसंगम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१-२॥ </blockquote><blockquote>पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम् । व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता ॥१-३॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>sañjaya uvāca | dr̥ṣṭvā tu pāṇḍavānīkaṁ vyūḍhaṁ duryodhanastadā । ācāryamupasaṁgamya rājā vacanamabravīt ॥1-2॥</blockquote><blockquote>paśyaitāṁ pāṇḍuputrāṇāmācārya mahatīṁ camūm । vyūḍhāṁ drupadaputreṇa tava śiṣyeṇa dhīmatā ॥1-3॥</blockquote>Meaning: Sanjaya said: Having seen the army of the Pandavas drawn up in battle array, King Duryodhana then approached his teacher (Drona) and spoke these words: "Behold, O Teacher, this mighty army of the sons of Pandu, arrayed by the son of Drupada (Dhrishtadyumna), thy wise disciple !"<ref name=":0" />

As a reply to the above shloka, Sanjaya begins to narrate the situation on the battle field and thus, begins the Bhagavad Gita. <blockquote>सञ्जय उवाच | दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा । आचार्यमुपसंगम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१-२॥ </blockquote><blockquote>पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम् । व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता ॥१-३॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>sañjaya uvāca | dr̥ṣṭvā tu pāṇḍavānīkaṁ vyūḍhaṁ duryodhanastadā । ācāryamupasaṁgamya rājā vacanamabravīt ॥1-2॥</blockquote><blockquote>paśyaitāṁ pāṇḍuputrāṇāmācārya mahatīṁ camūm । vyūḍhāṁ drupadaputreṇa tava śiṣyeṇa dhīmatā ॥1-3॥</blockquote>Meaning: Sanjaya said, having seen the army of the Pandavas drawn up in battle array, Raja Duryodhana then approached his teacher (Drona) and spoke these words: "Behold, O Teacher, this mighty army of the sons of Pandu, arrayed by the son of Drupada (Dhrshtadyumna), thy wise disciple !"<ref name=":0" />

== सैन्यविवरणम् ॥ The Pandava and Kaurava Army ==

== सैन्यविवरणम् ॥ The Pandava and Kaurava Army ==

== अर्जुनविषादः ॥ The Despondency of Arjuna ==

== अर्जुनविषादः ॥ The Despondency of Arjuna ==

* Seeing all the people of Dhritarashtra’s party standing arrayed and the discharge of weapons about to begin, Arjuna, the son of Pandu, whose ensign was that of a monkey, took up his bow and said the following to Krishna,<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>महीपते । सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत ॥१-२१॥</blockquote><blockquote>यावदेतान्निरिक्षेऽहं योद्‌धुकामानवस्थितान् । कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन् रणसमुद्यमे ॥१-२२॥</blockquote><blockquote>योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः । धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः ॥१-२३॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>mahīpate । senayorubhayormadhye rathaṁ sthāpaya me'cyuta ॥1-21॥</blockquote><blockquote>yāvadetānnirikṣe'haṁ yod‌dhukāmānavasthitān । kairmayā saha yoddhavyamasmin raṇasamudyame ॥1-22॥</blockquote><blockquote>yotsyamānānavekṣe'haṁ ya ete'tra samāgatāḥ । dhārtarāṣṭrasya durbuddheryuddhe priyacikīrṣavaḥ ॥1-23॥</blockquote>Meaning: O Lord of the Earth ! In the middle of the two armies, place my chariot, O Krishna, so that I may behold those who stand here, desirous to fight, and know with whom I must fight when the battle begins. For I desire to observe those who are assembled here to fight, wishing to please in battle Duryodhana, the evil-minded.

* Seeing all the people of Dhrtarashtra’s party standing arrayed and the discharge of weapons about to begin, Arjuna, the son of Pandu, whose ensign was that of a monkey, took up his bow and said the following to Krishna,<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>महीपते । सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत ॥१-२१॥</blockquote><blockquote>यावदेतान्निरिक्षेऽहं योद्‌धुकामानवस्थितान् । कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन् रणसमुद्यमे ॥१-२२॥</blockquote><blockquote>योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः । धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः ॥१-२३॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>mahīpate । senayorubhayormadhye rathaṁ sthāpaya me'cyuta ॥1-21॥</blockquote><blockquote>yāvadetānnirikṣe'haṁ yod‌dhukāmānavasthitān । kairmayā saha yoddhavyamasmin raṇasamudyame ॥1-22॥</blockquote><blockquote>yotsyamānānavekṣe'haṁ ya ete'tra samāgatāḥ । dhārtarāṣṭrasya durbuddheryuddhe priyacikīrṣavaḥ ॥1-23॥</blockquote>Meaning: O Lord of the Earth ! In the middle of the two armies, place my chariot, O Krishna, so that I may behold those who stand here, desirous to fight, and know with whom I must fight when the battle begins. For I desire to observe those who are assembled here to fight, wishing to please in battle Duryodhana, the evil-minded.

* Being thus addressed by Arjuna, Lord Krishna, having stationed that best of chariots, in the midst of the two armies, in front of Bhishma and Drona and all the rulers of the earth, said:<ref name=":0" /> <blockquote>पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति ॥१-२५॥<ref name=":2" /> pārtha paśyaitānsamavetānkurūniti ॥1-25॥</blockquote>Meaning: “O Arjuna, behold now all these Kurus gathered together!”

* Being thus addressed by Arjuna, Lord Krishna, having stationed that best of chariots, in the midst of the two armies, in front of Bhishma and Drona and all the rulers of the earth, said:<ref name=":0" /> <blockquote>पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति ॥१-२५॥<ref name=":2" /> pārtha paśyaitānsamavetānkurūniti ॥1-25॥</blockquote>Meaning: “O Arjuna, behold now all these Kurus gathered together!”

* Then Arjuna beheld there stationed, grandfathers and fathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons and friends, too. He saw fathers-in-law and friends also in both armies. The son of Kunti, Arjuna, seeing all these kinsmen standing arrayed, spoke thus sorrowfully, filled with deep pity.<ref name=":0" />

* Then Arjuna beheld there stationed, grandfathers and fathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons and friends, too. He saw fathers-in-law and friends also in both armies. The son of Kunti, Arjuna, seeing all these kinsmen standing arrayed, spoke thus sorrowfully, filled with deep pity.<ref name=":0" />

Arjuna's thoughts as he sees his kith and kin arrayed in the battlefield is out poured in the following verses.<blockquote>येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च । त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ॥१-३३॥</blockquote><blockquote>आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः । मातुलाः श्वशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः संबन्धिनस्तथा ॥१-३४॥</blockquote><blockquote>एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन । अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते ॥१-३५॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>yeṣāmarthe kāṅkṣitaṁ no rājyaṁ bhogāḥ sukhāni ca । ta ime'vasthitā yuddhe prāṇāṁstyaktvā dhanāni ca ॥1-33॥</blockquote><blockquote>ācāryāḥ pitaraḥ putrāstathaiva ca pitāmahāḥ । mātulāḥ śvaśurāḥ pautrāḥ śyālāḥ saṁbandhinastathā ॥1-34॥</blockquote><blockquote>etānna hantumicchāmi ghnato'pi madhusūdana । api trailokyarājyasya hetoḥ kiṁ nu mahīkr̥te ॥1-35॥</blockquote>Meaning: Those for whose sake we desire kingdoms, enjoyments and pleasures, stand here in battle, having renounced life and wealth. Teachers, fathers, sons and also grandfathers, grandsons, fathers-in-law, maternal uncles, brothers-in-law and relatives - These I do not wish to kill, though they kill me,O Krishna, even for the sake of dominion over the three worlds, leave alone killing them for the sake of the earth!<ref name=":0" />

Arjuna's thoughts as he sees his kith and kin arrayed in the battlefield is out poured in the following verses.<blockquote>येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च । त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ॥१-३३॥</blockquote><blockquote>आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः । मातुलाः श्वशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः संबन्धिनस्तथा ॥१-३४॥</blockquote><blockquote>एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन । अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते ॥१-३५॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>yeṣāmarthe kāṅkṣitaṁ no rājyaṁ bhogāḥ sukhāni ca । ta ime'vasthitā yuddhe prāṇāṁstyaktvā dhanāni ca ॥1-33॥</blockquote><blockquote>ācāryāḥ pitaraḥ putrāstathaiva ca pitāmahāḥ । mātulāḥ śvaśurāḥ pautrāḥ śyālāḥ saṁbandhinastathā ॥1-34॥</blockquote><blockquote>etānna hantumicchāmi ghnato'pi madhusūdana । api trailokyarājyasya hetoḥ kiṁ nu mahīkr̥te ॥1-35॥</blockquote>Meaning: Those for whose sake we desire kingdoms, enjoyments and pleasures, stand here in battle, having renounced life and wealth. Teachers, fathers, sons and also grandfathers, grandsons, fathers-in-law, maternal uncles, brothers-in-law and relatives - These I do not wish to kill, though they kill me,O Krishna, even for the sake of dominion over the three worlds, leave alone killing them for the sake of the earth!<ref name=":0" />

He says,<blockquote>निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन । पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः ॥१-३६॥</blockquote><blockquote>तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्स्वबान्धवान् । स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव ॥१-३७॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>nihatya dhārtarāṣṭrānnaḥ kā prītiḥ syājjanārdana । pāpamevāśrayedasmānhatvaitānātatāyinaḥ ॥1-36॥</blockquote><blockquote>tasmānnārhā vayaṁ hantuṁ dhārtarāṣṭrānsvabāndhavān । svajanaṁ hi kathaṁ hatvā sukhinaḥ syāma mādhava ॥1-37॥</blockquote>Meaning: By killing these sons of Dhritarashtra, what pleasure can be ours, O Janardana? Only sin will accrue by killing them. Therefore, we should not kill the sons of Dhritarashtra, our relatives; for, how can we be happy by killing our own people, O Madhava (Krishna)?<ref name=":0" />

He says,<blockquote>निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन । पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः ॥१-३६॥</blockquote><blockquote>तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्स्वबान्धवान् । स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव ॥१-३७॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>nihatya dhārtarāṣṭrānnaḥ kā prītiḥ syājjanārdana । pāpamevāśrayedasmānhatvaitānātatāyinaḥ ॥1-36॥</blockquote><blockquote>tasmānnārhā vayaṁ hantuṁ dhārtarāṣṭrānsvabāndhavān । svajanaṁ hi kathaṁ hatvā sukhinaḥ syāma mādhava ॥1-37॥</blockquote>Meaning: By killing these sons of Dhrtarashtra, what pleasure can be ours, O Janardana? Only sin will accrue by killing them. Therefore, we should not kill the sons of Dhrtarashtra, our relatives; for, how can we be happy by killing our own people, O Madhava (Krishna)?<ref name=":0" />

He questions Sri Krishna,<blockquote>यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः । कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम् ॥१-३८॥</blockquote><blockquote>कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम् । कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन ॥१-३९॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>yadyapyete na paśyanti lobhopahatacetasaḥ । kulakṣayakr̥taṁ doṣaṁ mitradrohe ca pātakam ॥1-38॥</blockquote><blockquote>kathaṁ na jñeyamasmābhiḥ pāpādasmānnivartitum । kulakṣayakr̥taṁ doṣaṁ prapaśyadbhirjanārdana ॥1-39॥</blockquote>Meaning: Though they, with intelligence overpowered by greed, see no evil in the destruction of families, and no sin in hostility to friends, Why should not we, who clearly see evil in the destruction of a family, learn to turn away from this sin, O Janardana (Krishna)?<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः । धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत ॥१-४०॥</blockquote><blockquote>उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन । नरकेऽनियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम ॥१-४४॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>kulakṣaye praṇaśyanti kuladharmāḥ sanātanāḥ । dharme naṣṭe kulaṁ kr̥tsnamadharmo'bhibhavatyuta ॥1-40॥</blockquote><blockquote>utsannakuladharmāṇāṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ janārdana । narake'niyataṁ vāso bhavatītyanuśuśruma ॥1-44॥</blockquote>Meaning: In the destruction of a family, the immemorial religious rites of that family perish; on the destruction of spirituality, impiety overcomes the whole family.We have heard, O Janardana, that inevitable is the dwelling for an unknown period in hell for those men in whose families the religious practices have been destroyed!<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम् । यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः ॥१-४५॥</blockquote><blockquote>यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः । धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ॥१-४६॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>aho bata mahatpāpaṁ kartuṁ vyavasitā vayam । yadrājyasukhalobhena hantuṁ svajanamudyatāḥ ॥1-45॥</blockquote><blockquote>yadi māmapratīkāramaśastraṁ śastrapāṇayaḥ । dhārtarāṣṭrā raṇe hanyustanme kṣemataraṁ bhavet ॥1-46॥</blockquote>Meaning: Alas! We are involved in a great sin in that we are prepared to kill our kinsmen through greed for the pleasures of a kingdom. If the sons of Dhritarashtra, with weapons in hand, should slay me in battle, unresisting and unarmed, that would be better for me.

He questions Sri Krishna,<blockquote>यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः । कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम् ॥१-३८॥</blockquote><blockquote>कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम् । कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन ॥१-३९॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>yadyapyete na paśyanti lobhopahatacetasaḥ । kulakṣayakr̥taṁ doṣaṁ mitradrohe ca pātakam ॥1-38॥</blockquote><blockquote>kathaṁ na jñeyamasmābhiḥ pāpādasmānnivartitum । kulakṣayakr̥taṁ doṣaṁ prapaśyadbhirjanārdana ॥1-39॥</blockquote>Meaning: Though they, with intelligence overpowered by greed, see no evil in the destruction of families, and no sin in hostility to friends, Why should not we, who clearly see evil in the destruction of a family, learn to turn away from this sin, O Janardana (Krishna)?<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः । धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत ॥१-४०॥</blockquote><blockquote>उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन । नरकेऽनियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम ॥१-४४॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>kulakṣaye praṇaśyanti kuladharmāḥ sanātanāḥ । dharme naṣṭe kulaṁ kr̥tsnamadharmo'bhibhavatyuta ॥1-40॥</blockquote><blockquote>utsannakuladharmāṇāṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ janārdana । narake'niyataṁ vāso bhavatītyanuśuśruma ॥1-44॥</blockquote>Meaning: In the destruction of a family, the immemorial religious rites of that family perish; on the destruction of spirituality, impiety overcomes the whole family.We have heard, O Janardana, that inevitable is the dwelling for an unknown period in hell for those men in whose families the religious practices have been destroyed!<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम् । यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः ॥१-४५॥</blockquote><blockquote>यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः । धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ॥१-४६॥<ref name=":2" /></blockquote><blockquote>aho bata mahatpāpaṁ kartuṁ vyavasitā vayam । yadrājyasukhalobhena hantuṁ svajanamudyatāḥ ॥1-45॥</blockquote><blockquote>yadi māmapratīkāramaśastraṁ śastrapāṇayaḥ । dhārtarāṣṭrā raṇe hanyustanme kṣemataraṁ bhavet ॥1-46॥</blockquote>Meaning: Alas! We are involved in a great sin in that we are prepared to kill our kinsmen through greed for the pleasures of a kingdom. If the sons of Dhrtarashtra, with weapons in hand, should slay me in battle, unresisting and unarmed, that would be better for me.

Having thus spoken in the midst of the battlefield, Arjuna, casting away his bow and arrow, sat down on the seat of the chariot with his mind overwhelmed with sorrow.<ref name=":0" />

Having thus spoken in the midst of the battlefield, Arjuna, casting away his bow and arrow, sat down on the seat of the chariot with his mind overwhelmed with sorrow.<ref name=":0" />

== References ==

== References ==