2.5 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 2, Verse 5

In Bhagavad Gita 2.5, Arjuna continues to express his deep moral dilemma on the battlefield. He declares that he would rather live as a beggar than kill his respected teachers and elders, even if they stand on the opposing side. Arjuna believes that any enjoyment derived from victory would be tainted with the blood of these great souls who once guided him.

This verse reveals Arjuna's profound sense of gratitude and respect toward his teachers. Despite acknowledging that these elders are now motivated by material gain in supporting Duryodhana's unjust cause, Arjuna cannot overlook their previous contributions to his life and education. His emotional turmoil is evident in the way he struggles to reconcile his duty as a warrior with his reverence for these figures.

Arjuna's inner conflict is further displayed in his contradictory thoughts. In the same breath, he speaks of both begging and enjoyment, revealing his confused mental state. As a kshatriya (warrior), begging would ordinarily be against his dharma, yet he considers it preferable to killing his teachers. This internal contradiction highlights how deeply disturbed and bewildered Arjuna has become.

The verse beautifully captures the human tendency to focus on the virtues of those we respect, even when they may not be acting virtuously. Arjuna sees beyond the current circumstances to remember the greatness of his teachers. He cannot separate their present actions from their past nobility, which makes the prospect of fighting against them all the more painful for him.

There's also a profound contemplation about consequences in Arjuna's words. He's weighing immediate gain against long-term suffering, suggesting that temporary victory at the cost of killing his respected elders would lead to perpetual anguish. Having already endured thirteen years of forest exile, Arjuna considers continuing such a life preferable to the blood-stained kingdom that would result from the battle.

The vivid imagery of "enjoyable things tainted with blood" reflects Arjuna's fear that any pleasure derived from ruling the kingdom would forever be tarnished by the memory of how it was obtained. This powerful metaphor encapsulates his belief that moral compromise would poison any future happiness, making victory hollow and meaningless.

Ultimately, this verse portrays Arjuna at a crucial moment of ethical contemplation, where he's evaluating not just immediate actions but their far-reaching implications. His willingness to sacrifice personal gain for moral integrity demonstrates a profound, if somewhat misguided, nobility of character. It sets the stage for Krishna's forthcoming wisdom, which will help Arjuna navigate this complex moral terrain with greater clarity and understanding.