यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः ।
धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ॥
धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
अगर ये हाथों में शस्त्रअस्त्र लिये हुए धृतराष्ट्र के पक्षपाती लोग युद्धभूमि में सामना न करनेवाले तथा शस्त्ररहित मुझ को मार भी दें, तो वह मेरे लिये बड़ा ही हितकारक होगा ॥
English
If the armed sons of Dhritarashtra were to kill me in battle while I stood unresisting and without weapons, that would be far better for me.
What this verse means
Arjuna says that even dying unarmed in battle would be better than fighting his own relatives.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna has already rejected the war’s moral cost. Surrounded by Krishna and the opposing army, he says that if the armed sons of Dhritarashtra killed him while he stayed unarmed, that would be better than fighting kin.
Why this verse still matters
You are standing in a doorway, keys in hand, about to leave a relationship or job that once felt safe. Part of you would rather be hurt than become the one who causes harm.
The takeaway
The heart can feel so burdened that even defeat seems kinder than harming loved ones.
Word-by-word translation
यदि (if) / माम् (me) / अप्रतीकारम् (unresisting, not striking back) / अशस्त्रम् (without weapons) / शस्त्रपाणयः (those holding weapons) / धार्तराष्ट्राः (the sons of Dhritarashtra) / रणे (in battle) / हन्युः (might kill) / तत् (that) / मे (for me) / क्षेमतरम् (more beneficial, better) / भवेत् (would be)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga — The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair, which contains 47 verses.
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses), arjuna vishada (14 verses)