Bhagavad Gita · Kurukshetra
Between the Two Armies
Krishna places the great chariot between the two armies, before Bhishma, Drona and all the kings. “Arjuna,” he says, “behold these Kauravas assembled here.”
There, in both armies, Arjuna sees his uncles and grand-uncles, his teachers, his brothers and cousins, his sons and grandsons, his friends.
ArjunaKrishna, at the sight of these kinsmen arrayed for battle my limbs give way and my mouth is parched. Gandiva slips from my hand and I can no longer stand.
Having spoken thus on the battlefield, his mind shaken by grief, Arjuna casts aside his bow and arrows and sinks into the back of the chariot.
Then he tells Krishna, “I will not fight,” and falls silent.
Krishna, as if smilingArjuna, you grieve for those who should not be grieved for, and yet you speak like the learned. The wise sorrow neither for the dead nor for the living.
KrishnaThe soul is never born and it never dies. It is unborn, eternal, everlasting and primeval. It is not slain when the body is slain.
KrishnaYour right is to work only, and never to its fruit.
KrishnaWhen a man draws his senses back from their objects, as a tortoise draws in its limbs from every side, his mind stands firm.
If the light of a thousand suns were to burst forth in the sky all at once, even that would hardly match the splendour of that mighty Lord.
KrishnaI am mighty Time, the destroyer of the worlds. These warriors stand already slain by me. Be only the instrument, Arjuna.
KrishnaResign all your duties to me and take refuge in me alone. I shall free you from all sins. Do not grieve.
ArjunaKrishna, by your grace my delusion is gone and I have gained wisdom. I am free of all doubt. I will do your bidding.