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Chapter 1
Link:-In the verse that follows, we are told how Arjuna was influenced by the description of disastrous consequences of fighting a battle.
aho bata mahatpapam kartum vyavasits vayam
yadrajyasukhalobhena hantum svajanamudyatah
Alas! Goaded by the lust for throne and enjoyment, we seem hent on perpetrating the great sin, of killing our kinsmen.45
Comment:-
Aho bath mahatpapam kartum vyavasita vayam yadrajyasukhalobhena hantum svajanamudyatah—Duryodhana and his companions, are villains. Being goaded by greed, they are not guided by righteousness and so they are prepared to wage a war. We have the power to discriminate between righteousness and unrighteousness, virtue and vice, but we are also prepared to wage war to kill our own kinsmen, just like ignorant people. So it is something very surprising and shocking. By doing so, we are going to commit a great sin, by turning a deaf ear to the teachings of preceptors and scriptures.
The word 'Aho' expresses surprise. It is surprising, that we have decided to commit sin by waging this war, even having known its horrifying consequences. The word 'Bata', expresses sorrow. It is a matter of sorrow, that we are prepared to slay our kith and kin, being over powered by greed, for a transient kmgdom and pleasure.
Greed for kingdom and pleasure, is the only cause, for perpetrating the great sin of killing our kinsmen. It means, that if we get victory in the battle, we shall get kingdom, wealth, honour, glory, power, pleasure and luxuries. Such greed for kingdom and enjoyment, is totally unjustified for such people as us.
In this verse, Aijuna wants to say that a man can carry out the behest of scriptures and teachers etc., only by honouring his own good ideas, and his own knowledge. But he who dishonours them, cannot adopt virtuous principles of scriptures and teachers. Thus good thoughts and ideas do not arise up in him. Then, who can check him from possessing evil thoughts and performing evil actions? Similarly, if we disregard our knowledge, who can check us from committing the great sin of killing our kinsmen?
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