अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम्। यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः।।1.45।।
aho bata mahat pāpaṁ kartuṁ vyavasitā vayam yat rājya-sukha-lobhena hantuṁ sva-janam udyatāḥ
Translation
Alas! What a great sinful act have we resolved to undertake! For, out of greed for the joy of kingdom, we are striving to slay our own kinsfolk!
Word Meanings
aho — alas; bata — horrible results; mahat — great; pāpam — sins; kartum — to perform; vyavasitāḥ — have decided; vayam — we; yat — because; rājya-sukha-lobhena — driven by the desire for kingly pleasure; hantum — to kill; sva-janam — kinsmen; udyatāḥ — intending
Understanding the Verse
In this verse, Arjuna is overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow. He is reflecting on the enormity of the sin he and his family have resolved to commit by engaging in the battle. Arjuna, in his deep inner turmoil, expresses disbelief at how his kinsfolk, driven by the desire for power and wealth, are prepared to kill their own family members. He cries out in sorrow, saying “Aho!” (Alas), realizing the immense sin that is about to be committed. Arjuna was acutely aware that this war would lead to nothing but misfortune for everyone involved, yet the desire for kingdom and power motivated his cousins and relatives to engage in this war, even at the cost of their own kith and kin. Despite his warrior duties, Arjuna feels that the temptation of kingly pleasure is driving them to disregard the sanctity of family ties and moral values. Arjuna’s statement shows the inner conflict he feels, torn between his attachment to his family and his duty as a warrior. He recognizes that it is a great sin to kill his relatives, but he is also unable to see the bigger picture—that sometimes, even difficult actions are necessary to restore dharma (righteousness). His attachment to his family and his compassion for them have clouded his judgment, preventing him from realizing that, in the larger context, this war may indeed be necessary to uphold dharma and prevent greater societal harm.
