7rcTIX1xP

The Bhagavad Gita1398
“Were I to kill my relatives, the sons of Dhritarashtra, what happiness or
pleasure could be ours, O great one. Should we destroy them, remorse
would be our companion and indweller. Therefore, it seems to me as a truth
that we should refrain from slaying these, our kinsmen, for how can we be
happy, hereafter, if we are guilty of having destroyed those of our race.
“It is no excuse for us, who see these things as we do, to say that these
others have minds so depraved and bloodthirsty that they can see no evil in
the shedding of the blood of their kinsmen and friends. Can such an excuse
justify us, who knoweth better, in committing a like horror?
“We have been taught that in the annihilation of a family, the ancient
virtue of the family is destroyed. And in the destruction of the virtue and
traditions of a people, vice and impiety overwhelm the whole race. Thus
may the women of the family become corrupt, and the purity of the blood
vanish. This adulteration of the blood prevents the performance of the
ceremonies of the rites due the ancestors, according to our ancient customs,
and the forefathers, if the teachings of the people be true, must sink into a
state of misery and unhappiness.
“Thus by the crimes of those who destroy their own relations, sore
contamination of the family-virtue and glory is made possible, and
the forefathers of the race are given great mortification, and pain and
degradation, as we have been taught from childhood, as a people, O Krishna.
“O woe is me! Woe unto us who are preparing to commit the horrible
crime of murdering these, our blood-relations and kind, for the bauble of
dominion—the lust of power!
“Rather would I bare my breast to the weapons of the Kurus, and let them
drink deep of the blood of my heart—rather would I await their coming,
unresistingly, and unarmed meet their thrusts—than commit this foul crime
against my blood-relations. Surely, that for me would be far the better! O
woe is me, and woe unto us all!”
And having spoken thus, Arjuna sank back upon the seat of his chariot,
and sitting down, he put away from him his bow and his arrows, and, placing