BG 1.37
How can we be happy after killing our own family and friends?
स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव
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tasmān — hence
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nārhā — never sensible
na—never; arhāḥ—behoove -
vayaṁ — we
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hantuṁ — to kill
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dhārtarāṣhṭrān — the sons of Dhritarashtra
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sa-bāndhavān — along with friends
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sa — with
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bāndhavān — friends
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sva-janaṁ — along with kinsmen
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sva — my, mine
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janaṁ — people
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hi — certainly
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kathaṁ — how
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hatvā — by killing
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sukhinaḥ — happy
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syāma — will we become
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mādhava — Krishna
Those for whose sake we desire this kingdom, stand here in battle, ready to give up their lives and wealth. These are our teachers, fathers, grandfathers, sons, uncles, in-laws, and kinsmen. I would not slay them for dominion over the three worlds, let alone for the sake of one kingdom on Earth. What pleasure will there be in killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? We would only incur sin by killing these aggressors. How can we be happy after killing our own family and friends? 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?
Similar verses
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...why should we, who clearly see the evil in killing our own clan, not turn away from committing this crime?
- Verse 1.39
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Even though their minds are so overpowered by greed that they see no problem in killing their relatives and friends, ...
- Verse 1.38
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What pleasure will there be in killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? We would only incur sin by killing these aggressors.
- Verse 1.36
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It would be better to live as a beggar than to kill my exalted teachers. Anything gained from killing my elders would be always be stained by their blood.
- Verse 2.5