Chapter 1 • Verse 35
एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन। अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते॥
etān na hantum ichchhāmi ghnato 'pi madhusūdana api trailokya-rājyasya hetoḥ kiṁ nu mahī-kṛite
Meaning
I do not wish to kill them, O Madhusudana, even if they attack me first — not even for sovereignty over the three worlds, much less for this earth.
Arjuna would rather be killed than kill his kinsmen. This seems noble but ignores that his enemies represent adharma. Sometimes protecting truth requires fighting those we love.
Strength Reflection
"I accept that protecting what is right may require difficult choices regarding those I care about."
Devotional Surrender
O Slayer of Madhu, give me strength to do what is right, even when it breaks my heart.