etān na hantum ichchhāmi ghnato ’pi madhusūdana
api trailokya-rājyasya hetoḥ kiṁ nu mahī-kṛite
etān — these;
na — not;
hantum — to slay;
ichchhāmi — I wish;
ghnataḥ — killed;
api — even though;
madhusūdana — Shree Krishna, killer of the demon Madhu;
api — even though;
trai-lokya-rājyasya — dominion over three worlds;
hetoḥ — for the sake of;
kim nu — what to speak of;
mahī-kṛite — for the earth
In this verse, Arjuna, a warrior, is talking to Lord Krishna as he stands on the battlefield, ready to fight. Arjuna is feeling a deep conflict inside himself. He says that he cannot bring himself to kill his family and loved ones, even if it means being killed by them.
Arjuna believes that gaining control over the entire universe, which he refers to as ‘the three worlds,’ is not worth it if it means having to harm his relatives and friends. He feels that no amount of power or land is more important than the lives of the people he cares about.
He is in a state of moral confusion. On one hand, he knows he should fight because that is what warriors do, and on the other hand, he feels that fighting means destroying the lives of people he loves. For Arjuna, the thought of killing them for anything—whether for a throne or for earthly pleasures—feels wrong and unacceptable. This shows his strong values and compassion towards his family.
This situation also reflects a common human feeling of conflict between ambition and ethical beliefs. Many people face moments in their lives where they have to choose between pursuing their goals and staying true to their moral compass.
At this stage in the story, Arjuna still sees the fight from a material perspective. He hasn’t yet realized that sometimes, following a higher purpose or divine plan might mean making tough choices that are not always aligned with what we desire. This internal struggle is important because it sets the stage for the lessons that Krishna will teach him about duty, righteousness, and understanding one’s true self.
In summary, Arjuna’s words reveal a deeper lesson. They remind us that power and possessions are not as important as our relationships and the values we hold dear. Lust for control should not come at the cost of compassion and love for others.