| What
peace could come of that, O Madhava? For if indeed, blinded by lust
and wrath, These cannot see, or will not see, the sin Of kingly
lines o'erthrown and kinsmen slain, How should not we, who see, shun
such a crime We who perceive the guilt and feel the shame- O thou
Delight of Men, Janardana? By overthrow of houses perisheth Their
sweet continuous household piety, And- rites neglected, piety
extinct- Enters impiety upon that home; Its women grow
unwomaned, whence there spring Mad passions, and the mingling-up of
castes, Sending a Hell-ward road that family, And whoso wrought its
doom by wicked wrath.
Nay, and the souls of honoured ancestors
Fall from their place of peace, being bereft Of funeral-cakes and
the wan death-water. So teach our holy hymns. Thus, if we slay
Kinsfolk and friends for love of earthly power, Ahovat!
what an evil fault it were! Better I deem it, if my kinsmen strike,
To face them weaponless, and bare my breast To shaft and spear, than
answer blow with blow.
So speaking, in the face of those two hosts, Arjuna sank upon his
chariot-seat, And let fall bow and arrows, sick at heart.
HERE ENDETH CHAPTER I OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA,
Entitled "Arjun-Vishad," Or "The Book of the Distress
of Arjuna." |
