Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 1 verse 36
Chapter 1 · Arjuna Vishada Yoga

The Moral Cost · Even Justified Violence Wounds

निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन । पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः ।।36।।

nihatya dhārtarāṣṭrān naḥ kā prītiḥ syāj janārdana pāpam evāśrayed asmān hatvaitān ātatāyinaḥ

Meaning

"O Janardana, what joy would we gain by killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? Sin alone would come to us for slaying these aggressors."

Explanation

Arjuna wrestles with the moral cost of violence, even against those who have wronged him.

Today's Life Lesson

Even when you're in the right, notice the emotional cost of conflict rather than dismissing it.

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