Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 4

अर्जुन उवाच | कथं भीष्ममहं सङ्ख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन | इषुभिः प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन ||

arjuna uvāca kathaṁ bhīṣmam ahaṁ saṅkhye droṇaṁ ca madhusūdana iṣubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi pūjārhāv arisūdana

Arjuna said: How can I, in battle, fight with arrows against Bhishma and Drona, who are worthy of my worship, O Madhusudana, O destroyer of foes?

Arjuna names his conflict: how can he fight Bhishma and Drona, whom he considers pūjārhau (worthy of worship)? His struggle isn't physical—he's a capable warrior—but moral. Two deep values clash: reverence for elders and teachers versus his dharma as a warrior. This is a genuine ethical crisis, not an excuse. Krishna will respond by revealing a perspective that honors both—showing that true respect sometimes requires difficult action, not paralysis.