Grief

For one who is born, death is certain; and for one who has died, birth is certain. Therefore you should not grieve over what is unavoidable.

It is said to be unmanifest, inconceivable, and immutable. Therefore, having understood it thus, you ought not to grieve.

The Blessed Lord said: You grieve for those who are not worthy of grief, and yet you speak words that sound like wisdom. The truly learned mourn neither for the living nor for the dead.

But even if you believe this to be perpetually born and perpetually dying, O mighty-armed one, you still ought not to grieve in this way.

Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus to Hrishikesha, the mighty Gudakesha said to Govinda, 'I shall not fight,' and fell silent.

For I see nothing that could drive away the grief that is withering my senses — not an unrivalled, prosperous kingdom on earth, nor even lordship over the gods.

Sanjaya said: To him who was thus overwhelmed with compassion, whose eyes were filled with tears and clouded with distress, Madhusudana spoke these words.

Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus on the battlefield, Arjuna sank down upon the seat of the chariot, setting aside his bow and arrows, his mind overwhelmed with sorrow.

O Krishna, I desire neither victory nor kingdom nor pleasures. O Govinda, what use is a kingdom to us, or enjoyments, or even life itself?

The Gandiva slips from my grasp, my skin burns all over, I cannot keep my footing, and my mind seems to reel.

My limbs give way beneath me, my mouth is parching, my body trembles and my hair stands on end.

Nor do we know which is the greater for us — to conquer them or to be conquered by them. The very sons of Dhritarashtra stand before us, those by whose slaying we could not wish to live.

If the armed sons of Dhritarashtra were to kill me in battle while I stand defenceless and unarmed without resistance, that would be better for me.

O Janardana, what joy could come to us from killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? Sin alone would cling to us if we slew these aggressors.

Those for whose sake we desire kingdom, enjoyments, and happiness — they stand here in battle, having given up their lives and wealth.

And I see only ill omens, O Keshava. I cannot perceive what good can come from slaying my own kinsmen in battle.

Overwhelmed by a deep surge of compassion, filled with grief, he spoke: O Krishna, seeing all these kinsmen assembled here ready to fight,

There Partha saw standing before him fathers, grandfathers, teachers, uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends as well.

The person who possesses such a soul can never be defeated by sorrow or pain. They are as pure as the gods, high-minded, and wise, with no secrets hidden from them.

Weep for God with a heart full of longing. The tears you shed for Him will wash away the impurities, and only then will you be drawn to the divine magnet, allowing you to attain yoga.