Bhagavad-gita 1.37-39 Arjuna’s argument regarding Concern for Family Values

The sons of Dhrtarashtra had lost their sense on account of greediness for acquiring the empire. They were seeing no fault in killing their family or quarreling with friends because their hearts were overtaken by greed. There was also great danger of destroying dynasty. Arjuna questioned that why should the Pandavas engage in these acts of sin. Obligation to fight is binding when the effect is good, but when the effect is otherwise, then no one can be bound. Therefore Arjuna favoured not to fight.

With the destruction of dynasty, the eternal family tradition is vanquished. With religion being destroyed, the rest of family becomes involved in irreligion. The elder members are responsible for purifying processes in the family, beginning from birth to death. But on the death of the elder members, such family traditions of purification may stop, and the remaining younger family members may develop irreligious habits and thereby lose their chance for spiritual salvation. Therefore, the elder members of the family should not be slain.

Arjuna addressed the Lord as Janardana or protector of people seeking answer. Family tradition, according to Vedic civilization, was very strictly observed so that the family could be kept in order as per religious principles. This was because the human life was meant for reviving one’s eternal position or sanatana-dharma. The eternal occupation of family members is to observe the rules and regulations of sanatana-dharma or varnasrama-dharma. In Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krishna reveals this eternal position and eternal occupation of human life while instructing Arjuna to engage in the battle.