1. Arjuna's Dilemma
Arjun Viṣhād Yog
Verse 1
Dhritarashtra said: In this realm of Dharma, on the sacred field of Kurukshetra, my sons have gathered to fight with the sons of Pandu. Tell me Sanjaya, what is happening now?
Verse 2
Sanjaya replied: Upon seeing the army of the Pandavas arrayed for battle, Duryodhana approached his teacher Drona and said these words.
Verse 3
Behold! The mighty Pandava army, marshalled for battle by your own gifted disciple, Dhrishtadyumna.
Verse 4
They have many powerful warriors like Yuyudhan, Virat, and Drupad, equal to Bhima and Arjun in military prowess.
Verse 5
They have with them the best of men - Dhristaketu, Chekitan, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, Śaibya, and the King of Kashi.
Verse 6
They have with them the courageous Yudhamanyu, the gallant Uttamauja, the sons of Subhadra, and the sons of Draupadi - all great warriors.
Verse 7
Know also of the qualified generals on our side, who I will now recount to you.
Verse 8
We have leaders like you, Bhishma, Karna, Kripa, Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and Bhurishrava, who have many victories in battle.
Verse 9
There are also many heroic warriors prepared to die for my cause. They are equipped with various weapons and are skilled in the art of warfare.
Verse 10
Though our strength may be limited, it is protected by Grandsire Bhishma. Their strength, protected by Bhima, appears unlimited.
Verse 11
Therefore all of you, stationed firmly in your respective positions, should protect Bhishma above all.
Verse 12
To Duryodhana's delight, the grandsire of the Kuru dynasty let out a lion's roar and loudly blew his conch.
Verse 13
Suddenly, all the conches, drums, trumpets, and horns blared forth a tumultuous uproar.
Verse 14
Then, from a glorious chariot yoked with white horses, Krishna and Arjuna blew their divine conch shells.
Verse 15
Krishna blew a conch named Panchajanya, Arjuna blew a conch named Devadatta, and Bhima blew the great conch named Paundra.
Verse 16
Yudhisthira blew his conch Anantavijay, while Nakula and Sahadeva blew the Sughosha and Manipushpaka conches.
Verse 17 - 18
The King of Kashi, wielding a great bow, the mighty warrior Shikandi, Dhrishtadyumna, Virat, and the invincible Satyaki,
Drupad, the sons of Draupadi, and the mighty Abhimanyu, all blew their respective conch shells.
Verse 19
That tumultuous uproar reverberated through heaven and earth, and shattered the hearts of your sons.
Verse 20
Seeing Dhritirashtra's sons arrayed for war, Arjuna picked up his bow and spoke the following words to Krishna.
Verse 21 - 22
Arjuna said: Place my chariot between the two armies
so I may have a good look at those with whom I must fight in this great war.
Verse 23
I wish to gaze upon those who have gathered here to please the misguided son of Dhritarashtra.
Verse 24
Hearing Arjuna's request, Krishna drew up his magnificent chariot between the two armies.
Verse 25
In the presence of Bhishma, Drona, and all the other kings, Krishna said "behold, the Kuru dynasty has gathered".
Verse 26
As Arjuna gazed over both armies, he saw his fathers, grandfathers, teachers, uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, fathers-in-law, and friends.
Verse 27
Upon realizing how many of his relatives and friends were assembled there, he spoke his next words to Krishna with deep sorrow and compassion.
Verse 28 - 29
Arjuna said: Seeing all my kinsmen present here, eager to fight,
my limbs are weak, my mouth is drying up, my body is trembling, and my hairs are standing on end.
Verse 30
My bow is slipping from my hand, and my skin is burning. I can no longer stand - my mind is spinning.
Verse 31
I foresee bad omens and misfortune from killing my kinsmen in battle.
Verse 32
I desire no victory, empire, nor earthly pleasures. What do we gain from having this kingdom, or even life itself?
Verse 33
Those for whose sake we desire this kingdom, stand here in battle, ready to give up their lives and wealth.
Verse 34
These are our teachers, fathers, grandfathers, sons, uncles, in-laws, and kinsmen.
Verse 35
I would not slay them for dominion over the three worlds, let alone for the sake of one kingdom on Earth.
Verse 36
What pleasure will there be in killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? We would only incur sin by killing these aggressors.
Verse 37
How can we be happy after killing our own family and friends?
Verse 38 - 39
Even though their minds are so overpowered by greed that they see no problem in killing their relatives and friends,
why should we, who clearly see the evil in killing our own clan, not turn away from committing this crime?
Verse 40
When a community perishes, its traditions and duties are destroyed, and the families are overcome by immorality.
Verse 41
When impiety prevails, the women become immoral, and children of mixed social groups are born.
Verse 42
Promiscuity ruins both the family and those who defile it, depriving the ancestors of ritual offerings.
Verse 43
By the destruction of lineages and the intermingling of social classes, ancient traditions and family values are destroyed.
Verse 44
The wise say that those who destroy family traditions are destined for hell.
Verse 45
What a pity that we have decided to commit this great sin, prepared to slay our kinsmen for the pleasures of kingdom.
Verse 46
It would be better if the sons of Dhritarashtra should slay me in battle, unarmed and unresisting.
Verse 47
Having said these words, Arjuna cast aside his bow and arrow, and sat down in his chariot overcome with grief.
2. Transcendental Knowledge
Sānkhya Yog
