Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 1 - Verse 24
Sanjaya continued: O descendent of Bharata, being thus requested, Shri Krishna drew Arjuna’s grand chariot in the midst of both armies.
Sanjaya continued: O descendent of Bharata, being thus requested, Shri Krishna drew Arjuna’s grand chariot in the midst of both armies.
In front of Bhishma, Drona and all the leaders of the world, Shri Krishna said: O Partha, behold the Kaurava Dynasty assembled here!
There, between the two armies, Arjuna was able to observe fatherly elders, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, fathers-in-law and friends.
Seeing all his relatives before him on the battlefield, Arjuna, the son of Kunti, became overcome with pity and was grief-stricken.
Arjuna said: O Krishna, seeing all my relatives assembled here and preparing for battle, the strength drains from my limbs and my mouth becomes parched.
My body trembles, my hair stands on end, my skin burns and my Gandiva bow slips from my grasp.
O Krishna, O Keshava (killer of the Keshi demon), I cannot keep my composure, my mind is bewildered and I see evil omens.
O Krishna, I see no benefit in slaying my kinsmen in this battle. Neither do I desire victory, nor happiness by attaining a great kingdom.
O Govinda (Krishna), of what avail to us are kingdoms, happiness, or even life itself when all those for whom we may desire them are now arrayed on this battlefield? O Govinda, of what use is a kingdom and it’s pleasures if those for whom we desire all this – our teachers, elders, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law and other relatives that are present here on this battlefield – are ready to jeopardize their kingdoms and their lives in this battle? O Madhusudana, even if they wish to slay me, I have no desire to slay them.
O Janardana (Maintainer of all living beings), what to speak of ruling this world, even if we gained sovereignty over the three worlds, what happiness would be attained by killing the sons of Dhritarashtra?