Chapter 1: Arjuna Viṣhāda Yoga – Transforming Grief into Yoga / Verse 38

Explanation of verses 1.38 and 1.39:

Obviously how noble, lofty and societal are the thoughts of Arjuna! They are such as to make any moral fighter think alike. Arjuna agrees that Duryodhanas are inflicting this war on him and his brothers, without seeing the great evil in the whole venture. He realizes that they are out to destroy the whole lineage by this huge war and colossal bloodshed.

To preserve, protect and perpetuate one’s lineage is the fundamental dharma of every human, nay of all beings upon the earth. To think disparagingly of this is wrong, even sinful. But here, if the war will be fought, the fate would be total extinction of the lineage.

“Even if Duryodhana is unable to see the grave hazard, why should we be like him?” – argued Arjuna.

Society never had all good people. While some are good and noble, others will be bad and ignoble. Sight of the ignoble should not lead the noble to emulate them. Discrimination is the core of human life. And the presence of wrong-doers should only make the noble hearts stronger to evaluate and intensify their stand.

“That Duryodhanas are given to evil should not instigate us to do alike. We should be guided by what we see, know and apprehend.

“Krishna, I clearly see great evil in this war. And we should avoid it at all cost. True, we are standing in front of those who do not have any regard for goodness and virtue. Even then, let us stick to our path of righteousness and restraint, as we have been all along. Even in the most tormenting Kuru assembly, where Draupadi was mauled by Duhshasana, did we not forbear all that happened, solely to preserve our righteousness and restraint?

“There is no comparison between us. Let the difference which ruled us so far, reign hereafter too. Though late, let us withdraw from the war and leave matters to their own natural course.”