BHAGVAD GITA CHAPTER-1

BHAGVAD GITA

Chapter 1: Arjuna's Dilemma

The King Dhritarashtra inquired: O Sanjaya, please,  tell me now in detail, what did my son (the Kauravas) and the Pandavas do in the battlefield before the war started? (1.01)

Sanjaya said: O King, after seeing the battle formation of the Pandava's army, King Duryodhana approached his guru, Drona, and spoke these words: (1.02)

O Master, behold this mighty army of the Pandavas, arranged in battle formation by your other talented disciple! There are many great warriors, valiant men, heroes, and mighty archers. (1.03-06)

Also there are many heroes on my side who have risked their lives for me. I shall name a few prominent commanders of my army for your information. All are skilled in warfare. (1.07-09)

The army protecting our commander-in-chief, Bheeshma, is insufficient, whereas my archrival, Bheema, on the other side is well protected. (1.10)

Therefore all of you, occupying your respective positions on all fronts, protect Bheeshma only. (1.11)

The mighty Bheeshma, the eldest man of the Kuru dynasty, roared like a lion and blew his conch loudly, bringing joy to Duryodhana. (1.12)

After that, conches, kettledrums, cymbals, drums, and trumpets were sounded together. The noise was tremendous. (1.13)

Then Lord Krishna and Arjuna, seated in a grand chariot with white horses, blew their celestial conches. (1.14)

Krishna blew His conch; then Arjuna and all other commanders of the army of Pandavas blew their respective conches. The uproar tore the hearts of your sons. (1.15-19)

Seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra standing; and the war about to begin; Arjuna, whose banner bore the emblem of Hanumana, took up his bow; and spoke these words to Lord Krishna: (1.20)

O Lord, please stop my chariot between the two armies until I see those who stand here eager for battle and with whom I must fight this war. I wish to see those who are willing to serve the evil-minded sons of Dhritarashtra. (1.21-23)

Sanjaya said: O King, Lord Krishna placed the best of all the chariots in the middle of the two armies facing Bheeshma, Drona, and all other Kings; and said to Arjuna: Look at these assembled Kurus! (1.24-25)

There Arjuna saw his uncles, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and comrades. (1.26)

After seeing fathers-in-law, all those relatives, and other dear ones standing in the ranks of the two armies, Arjuna became very kind and sorrowfully said: (1.27)

O Krishna, seeing my relatives standing with a desire to fight, my limbs fail and my mouth becomes dry. My body shakes and my hairs stand on end. (1.28-29)

The bow slips from my hand and my skin intensely burns. My head turns, I am unable to stand steady and, O Krishna, I see bad signs. I see no use of killing my relatives in battle. (1.30-31)

I desire neither victory nor pleasure nor kingdom, O Krishna. What is the use of the kingdom, or enjoyment, or even life, O Krishna? (1.32)

Because all those . for whom we desire kingdom, enjoyments, and pleasures . are standing here for the battle, giving up their lives and wealth. (1.33)

I do not wish to kill my teachers, uncles, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives even for the kingdom of the three worlds, let alone for this earthly kingdom, O Krishna. (1.34-35)

O Lord Krishna, what pleasure shall we find in killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? Upon killing these criminals we shall incur sin. (1.36)

Therefore, we should not kill our cousin brothers. How can we be happy after killing our own relatives, O Krishna? (1.37)

They are blinded by greed and do not see evil in the destruction of the family, or sin in being disloyal to friends. (1.38)

But why shouldn't we, who clearly see evil in the destruction of the family, think about turning away from this sin, O Krishna? (1.39)

Eternal family traditions and codes of moral conduct are destroyed with the destruction of the head of the family in a war. And immorality prevails in the family due to the destruction of family traditions. (1.40)

And when immorality prevails, O Krishna, people become corrupted. And when people are corrupted, unwanted children are born. (1.41)

This brings the family and the slayers of the family to hell because the spirits of their ancestors are degraded when deprived of ceremonial offerings of love and respect by the unwanted children. (1.42)

The everlasting qualities of social order and family values of those who destroy their family are ruined by illegal and sinful acts of illegitimacy. (1.43)

We have been told, O Krishna, that people whose family customs are destroyed dwell in hell for a long time. (1.44)

Alas! We are ready to commit a great sin by trying to kill our relatives because of greed for the pleasures of the kingdom. (1.45)

It would be far better for me if the sons of Dhritarashtra kill me with their weapons in battle while I am unarmed and unresisting. (1.46)

Sanjaya said: Having said this in the battle field and keeping aside his bow and arrow, Arjuna sat down on the seat of the chariot with his mind full of sorrow. (1.47)