nihatya dhārtarāṣhṭrān naḥ kā prītiḥ syāj janārdana
pāpam evāśhrayed asmān hatvaitān ātatāyinaḥ
nihatya — by killing;
dhārtarāṣhṭrān — the sons of Dhritarashtra;
naḥ — our;
kā — what;
prītiḥ — pleasure;
syāt — will there be;
janārdana — he who looks after the public, Shree Krishna;
pāpam — vices;
eva — certainly;
āśhrayet — must come upon;
asmān — us;
hatvā — by killing;
etān — all these;
ātatāyinaḥ — aggressors;
In this verse, Arjuna is speaking to Krishna about the consequences of fighting against his relatives, who are in the opposing army. He is facing a moral dilemma because he realizes that if he kills these people – who include his family, friends, teachers, and loved ones – it would bring great sin and suffering upon himself.
Arjuna is deeply troubled by the idea of killing his own kin, even though they are on the opposite side of the battlefield. He expresses that instead of gaining happiness or victory, the act of killing his family members will only lead to sorrow and regret.
He refers to the idea of 'sin', which suggests that taking the lives of his relatives would not only be wrong in a moral sense, but it would also make him spiritually unhappy. This shows Arjuna's character, as he is thoughtful and compassionate, not wanting to act in a way that would harm others unnecessarily.
Arjuna mentions the 'sons of Dhrtarashtra,' his cousins who are the enemies in the battle. He asks Krishna what kind of joy or satisfaction can come from killing them. He emphasizes that happiness cannot arise from such destructive actions, especially when those who are being killed are the very people for whom he might have wanted to rule and enjoy a kingdom.
The interpretation draws upon some principles from Hindu texts about what it means to be an 'aggressor.' An aggressor is someone who threatens the safety or life of others through various harmful actions. In ordinary contexts, it is said that such aggressors should be dealt with immediately and firmly, and that would typically not be seen as sinful. However, Arjuna considers that they are not just any aggressors; they are his family members.
He reflects on the nature of relationships and how they complicate the idea of fighting and killing. While a warrior or leader should uphold the duty to protect and fight against wrongdoers, Arjuna's heart tells him to handle the situation differently, with compassion and forgiveness.
The verse also illustrates the idea that while one must have moral strength and be a good leader, one must not act out of fear or weakness. Arjuna is struggling to keep his warrior identity intact while grappling with his gentler feelings for his family members.
Moreover, throughout this dilemma, he refers to Krishna using a name that means 'the husband of the goddess of fortune,' hinting that he believes Krishna should guide him towards the wise decision. He hopes Krishna will not support actions that would lead to misfortune or unhappiness.
In conclusion, this verse highlights the struggle between duty and personal ethics, showcasing Arjuna's compassion, moral values, and deep concern for the consequences of hate and war on his soul and the community.