आचार्या: पितर: पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहा: | मातुला: श्वशुरा: पौत्रा: श्याला: सम्बन्धिनस्तथा || 34|| एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन | अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतो: किं नु महीकृते || 35|| |
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“Teachers, fathers, sons, and grandfathers, uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, nephews, and other relatives.”
“O Madhusudana, I do not wish to kill these relatives, even if they attack me. I hold no desire for dominion over the three worlds, let alone this earthly kingdom.”
Commentary
Arjuna expresses his reluctance to engage in the battle, as he sees his own relatives, including teachers, fathers, sons, and grandfathers, standing before him. He mentions that he does not wish to kill them, regardless of their hostile intentions. The nobility of Arjuna’s spirit, tarnished by the impending conflict, refused to yield to the allure of power and dominion. His reluctance to harm even in self-defense echoes the depth of his inner turmoil.