Arjuna’s emotional turmoil deepens as he sees his kin on the battlefield. His sense of duty conflicts with his compassion for his relatives. This verse marks the start of Arjuna’s profound inner struggle, where the weight of his moral dilemma leads him to question the very purpose of the war.

Arjuna begins expressing his physical reactions to the emotional stress he is experiencing. The sight of his relatives ready to kill each other causes him to feel weak, shaky, and paralyzed by fear. This verse conveys the depth of Arjuna’s inner crisis, where his body reacts to the mental conflict he faces.

Arjuna continues to describe his physical symptoms, highlighting the extent of his distress. His inability to hold his bow, a symbol of his warrior duty, reflects his internal turmoil. The burning sensation and loss of control indicate his intense psychological and emotional suffering as he grapples with the decision to fight.

Arjuna openly questions the purpose of the war. He expresses that no victory, kingdom, or pleasure can justify the killing of his kin. This statement reveals his deep sense of disillusionment, as he begins to reject the material gains that the war is supposed to bring, considering them hollow without family.

Arjuna asks Krishna what good can come from material success when the very people for whom these gains are sought are on the battlefield, prepared to fight. He is grappling with the emotional weight of potentially losing loved ones and questions the value of life and luxury in such a context.

Arjuna continues to list the various family members who are about to engage in battle. He emphasizes the personal relationships he has with those on the opposing side, stressing the gravity of the situation. The emotional conflict intensifies as he contemplates the tragic loss of life that could result from the war.