Chapter 1Verse 33 of 47

Bhagavad Gita 1.33

येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च । त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ॥

yeṣām arthe kāṅkṣitaṃ no rājyaṃ bhogāḥ sukhāni ca | ta ime 'vasthitā yuddhe prāṇāṃs tyaktvā dhanāni c ||

Translation

Those for whose sake we desire kingdom, enjoyments, and pleasures stand here in battle, having given up life and wealth.

The argument's pivot. The kingdom was for them. They are the reason to want it. They are also standing in front of him with weapons. The thing being fought for and the thing being killed have collapsed into the same set of people. This is the structure of every refusal that arrives late: the realization that the goal and the cost are the same flesh. Once seen, it is unbearable. The whole chapter from here is Arjuna trying to find a sentence that survives this collapse. He will not.

Reflection

Where are the people you're working for the same people you're hurting?

Read this verse in its chapter: Chapter One

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