yady apy ete na pasyanti lobhopahata-cetasah kula-ksaya-kritam dosam mitra-drohe ca patakam
katham na jneyam asmabhih papad asman nivartitum kula-ksaya-kritam dosam prapasyadbhir janardana
Translation
O Janardana, although these men, their hearts overtaken by greed, see no fault in killing one’s family or quarreling with friends, why should we, who can see the crime in destroying a family, engage in these acts of sin?
Commentary by Srila Prabhupada
A kshatriya is not supposed to refuse to battle or gamble when he is so invited by some rival party. Under such an obligation, Arjuna could not refuse to fight, because he had been challenged by the party of Duryodhana. In this connection, Arjuna considered that the other party might be blind to the effects of such a challenge. Arjuna, however, could see the evil consequences and could not accept the challenge. Obligation is actually binding when the effect is good, but when the effect is otherwise, then no one can be bound. Considering all these pros and cons, Arjuna decided not to fight.
Commentary by Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur
"Why does the opposing side want to fight then?" He answers with this verse.
"They, overcome by greed, and do not see any fault in destroying the family, or any sin in killing friends."
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