Prelude to divine knowledge, the revealed soul

The Supreme Person, Krishna, says:

O Arjuna, how could such filth have taken hold of you?

These degrading complaints are completely unworthy of a man awakened to the values of life. Through them, one does not reach the higher planets, but one gains reproach.

Do not yield to such a petty and demeaning weakness, O son of Prtha, which does not please you. Cast it out of your heart, and rise up, O conqueror of enemies.

Prince Arjuna said:

O conqueror of Madhu, how could I, in the course of battle, repel from my arrows men such as Bhisma and Drona, worthy of my veneration

Rather beg than enjoy the pleasures of this world if it is necessary to kill such noble souls. Even greedy, they are still my masters; their death would taint our victory with blood.

I do not know if it is right to defeat them or to be defeated by them. Here are the sons of Dhirtarastra in line before us on this battlefield: their death would take away our desire to live.

The failure made me lose all my temper; I can’t see where my duty is anymore. Tell me clearly the right way. I am now Your disciple and leave it to You; enlighten me, please.

What might drive away the pain I feel, I don’t see. No appeasement for me, even if, like a deva in heaven, I reigned here below on an unparalleled kingdom.

Having thus spoken on the battlefield, Prince Arjuna let down his bow and arrows. He sat down on his chariot, overwhelmed with pain.