After presenting various poignant and logical arguments, Arjuna sat down on the chariot, giving up his bow and arrows, with his mind distressed with grief. To him (taṁ), who was thus (tathā) engulfed by compassion (kṛpayāviṣṭam), in a depressed condition (viṣīdantam) with his eyes full of tears (aśru-pūrṇākulekṣaṇam), Krishna (madhusūdana) spoke (uvāca) these words (idaṁ vākyam). (BG 2.1)
How (kutas) has this impurity (kaśmalam idaṁ) come upon (samupasthitam) Arjuna (tvā) in this hour of crisis (viṣame)? It is not adorned (juṣṭam) by one who knows the value of life (anārya) as it leads to infamy (akīrti-karam) not heaven (asvargyam). (BG 2.2) Krishna uses even stronger words instructing Arjuna. Arjuna (pārtha) should not (mā sma) take to (gamaḥ) impotence (klaibyaṁ). It does not (naitat) befit (upapadyate) him (tvayy). Giving up (tyaktva) petty (kṣudraṁ) weakness of heart (hṛdaya-daurbalyaṁ), Arjuna (paran-tapa) should stand up (uttiṣṭha). (BG 2.3)
It is noteworthy that whenever Krishna speaks, His position is uniquely identified as God (śrī-bhagavān).
Arjuna is still not convinced about what he should do. He continues on with his confusion expressing his predicament more emphatically. Arjuna questions how (kathaṁ) he (ahaṁ) could counterattack (pratiyotsyāmi) Bhīṣma (bhīṣmam) and Droṇa (droṇaṁ ca) with arrows (iṣubhiḥ) in the battle (saṅkhye), as they are worthy of his worship (pūjārhāv). (BG 2.4) It would be, in fact, (api) better (śreyo) to live (bhoktuṁ) in this (iha) world (loke) by begging (bhaikṣyam) without killing (ahatvā hi) than to kill (hatvā) greatly noble (mahānubhāvān) teachers (gurūn). They may be desiring worldly gain (artha-kāmāṁs), nevertheless, (tu) they are certainly (iva) teachers (gurūn) here (iha) and the objects of enjoyment (bhogān) they may enjoy (bhuñjīya) by killing them would be tainted with blood (rudhira-pradigdhān). (BG 2.5)
Arjuna continues with his argument. Furthermore (ca), they don’t know (na vidmaḥ) this (etad) – which (kataran) is better (garīyo) for them (no) – conquering them (yad vā jayema) or being conquered by them (yadi vā no jayeyuḥ). The sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra (dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ) are standing (te ’vasthitāḥ) before them (pramukhe). By killing (hatvā) them (yān), indeed (eva), Arjuna feels he does not wish to live (na jijīviṣāmas). (BG 2.6)
