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BHAGAVADGITA.
subverted. And O Ganârdana! we have heard that men whose family-rites are subverted, must necessarily live in hell. Alas! we are engaged in committing a heinous sin, seeing that we are making efforts for killing our own kinsmen out of greed of the pleasures of sovereignty. If the sons of Dhritarashtra, weapon in hand, were to kill me in battle, me being weaponless and not defending (myself), that would be better for me.
Sangaya said : Having spoken thus, Arguna cast aside his bow together with the arrows, on the battle-field, and sat down in (his) chariot, with a mind agitated by
grief.
Chapter II.
Sañgaya said : To him, who was thus overcome with pity, and dejected, and whose eyes were full of tears and turbid, the destroyer of Madhu spoke these words.
The Deity said : How (comes it that) this delusion, O Arguna ! which is discarded by the good, which excludes from heaven, and occasions infamy, has overtaken you in this (place of) peril ? Be not effeminate, O son of Pritha ! it is not worthy of you. Cast off this base weakness of heart, and arise, O terror of (your) foes!
Arguna said : How, O destroyer of Madhu ! shall I encounter with arrows in the battle Bhishma and Dronaboth, O destroyer of enemies ! entitled to reverence ?
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