न चैतद्विद्मः कतरन्नो गरीयो यद्वा जयेम यदि वा नो जयेयुः। यानेव हत्वा न जिजीविषाम स्तेऽवस्थिताः प्रमुखे धार्तराष्ट्राः
The verse describes the sons of Dhritarashtra as standing in the enemy ranks. They are the very individuals who are considered close to the speaker's side, yet are opposing them in battle.
Confusion can be the beginning of an honest conversation. If career or family advice seems contradictory, ask a trusted person a specific question rather than asking them to decide your whole life.
Go deeper into this verse
what dilemma does the speaker express about fighting or not fighting in this teaching on Those?
The speaker expresses uncertainty about whether it is better to fight or to avoid fighting. There is confusion about which choice is more beneficial or righteous, reflecting the deep internal conflict faced before engaging in battle.
In Chapter 2, Verse 6, why does the speaker say they do not wish to live after killing the sons of Dhritarashtra?
The speaker feels such sorrow and moral conflict about fighting against their own kin that killing them would bring no joy or desire to continue living. This reveals the emotional and ethical burden of battling loved ones, emphasizing the tragic nature of war.
What philosophical conflict about victory and defeat is expressed in this teaching on Those?
The verse reflects the uncertainty of outcomes in conflict—neither victory nor defeat is assured or clearly preferable. It highlights the transient nature of success and failure and questions the value of either when the cost involves harm to one's own people.
In Chapter 2, Verse 6, who is the speaker expressing the thoughts in this teaching on Those, and what is their emotional state?
The speaker is Arjuna, who is expressing deep confusion and sorrow before the battle. His emotional state is one of despair and moral uncertainty, as he struggles with the prospect of fighting against his own relatives and the ambiguous consequences of the war.
Nor know I which for us be the better, that we conquer them or they conquer us—these, whom having slain we should not care to live, even these arrayed against us, the sons of Dhritarâshtra.