Chapter 1 – Arjuna’s Despondency
Verse 35
Etaan’, na, hantum’, ichchhaami, ghnatH, api, madhusudan,
Api, traelokyaraajyasya, hetoH, kim’, nu, maheekrte ||35||
English Meaning:
O Madhusudana! Even if these warriors standing before me are prepared to kill me, I do not wish to kill them.
Even if I were to gain the sovereignty of all three worlds in return, I would still not want to kill them — then how could I do so for merely ruling the Earth?
Simple Explanation / Elaboration:
Arjuna says:
“O Shri Krishna! These who are my relatives and respected elders, standing ready for war on the battlefield — even if they desire to kill me, I have no wish to kill them.
Even if I were promised the kingdom of all three realms (heaven, earth, and the underworld), I would not be willing to take their lives. Then how could I do so just for the sake of ruling over Earth?”
This reveals Arjuna’s deep dispassion (vairagya) and emotional attachment (moha). He is caught in a conflict between righteous duty (dharma) and personal affection, and is now beginning to withdraw from action.
Philosophical Insight:
- Arjuna is not merely disturbed by the idea of war — it is the slaying of his own kin that troubles him.
- He fails to see that this battle is not just about territorial gain, but about the upholding of righteousness (dharma) and the destruction of injustice (adharma).
- This verse represents the inner conflict between attachment (maya) and duty (karma/dharma).
