Chapter 1 · Verse 31

Arjuna's Dilemma

निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव। न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे

nimittāni cha paśhyāmi viparītāni keśhava na cha śhreyo ’nupaśhyāmi hatvā sva-janam āhave

Word Meanings

nimittāni cha paśhyāmi viparītāni keśhava na cha śhreyaḥ anupaśhyāmi hatvā sva-janam āhave

Translation

I see only ill omens, O Keshava, and I foresee no good in slaying my own kinsmen in battle.

Commentary

निमित्तानि omens? च and? पश्यामि I see? विपरीतानि adverse? केशव O Kesava? न not? च and? श्रेयः good? अनुपश्यामि (I) see? हत्वा killing? स्वजनम् our peope? आहवे in battle.Commentary Kesava means he who has fine or luxuriant hair.