Chapter 1 • Verse 36
निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन। पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः॥
nihatya dhārtarāṣhṭrān naḥ kā prītiḥ syāj janārdana pāpam evāśhrayed asmān hatvaitān ātatāyinaḥ
Meaning
What pleasure would we derive from killing the sons of Dhritarashtra, O Janardana? Sin alone would accrue to us by slaying these aggressors.
Arjuna fears the sin of killing. Yet scripture permits the killing of aggressors in defense of dharma. His selective use of scripture reveals rationalization, not wisdom.
Strength Reflection
"I apply principles consistently, not selectively to justify what I already want to do."
Devotional Surrender
Lord, save me from twisting sacred teachings to serve my comfort rather than truth.