Arjuna's Dilemma
“Standing between two armies, Arjuna sees his relatives, teachers, and friends arrayed for battle. A moral crisis strikes—how can he raise his weapons against those he loves? The warrior's heart questions the righteousness of war.”
Story Summary
As the war begins, Arjuna's chariot is positioned between the two armies at Kurukshetra. From this vantage point, Arjuna sees clearly—on both sides are his relatives, his teachers, his friends. The reality of what war means strikes him deeply. He sees Bhishma and Drona, who raised and taught him. He sees his cousins, the Kauravas. He sees the faces of those he must fight, those he must kill. A profound moral crisis overwhelms him. He questions the righteousness of war. He questions whether victory is worth the destruction of his own family. His hands tremble. His bow drops. He refuses to fight. Arjuna turns to Krishna, his charioteer, and seeks guidance. He is confused about dharma, about duty, about what is right. This story sets the stage for the Bhagavad Gita, as Krishna prepares to teach Arjuna the deepest truths about duty, dharma, and the nature of existence.