Chapter 1: Arjuna's Sorrow - Verse 38,39 & 40

Verse 38:

"yady apy ete na pasyanti lobhopahata-cetasah kula-ksaya-krtam dosam mitra-drohe ca patakam"

(38)O Krishna! Though these people whose hearts have been overpowered by greed, see no evil in destroying the family nor see any sin in treachery to friends -
Explanation: Arjuna tells Lord Krishna that though the army of his cousins, the Kauravas were ready to fight they were blinded by greed.
They were so greedy that saw no evil or sin in destroying the clan and in treachery to friends.

Verse 39:

"katham na jneyam asmabhih papad asman nivartitum kula-ksaya-krtam dosam prapasyadbhir janardana"

(39) O Krishna! How can we who clearly see the evil arising from destroying the family, not abstain from sin.
Explanation: Arjuna contends that he was clearly able to see the sin as a result of ruining the clan.
Was he not justified in abstaining from such a sinful act?

Verse 40:

"kula-ksaye pranasyanti kula-dharmah sanatanah dharme naste kulam krtsnam adharmo 'bhibhavaty uta "

(40)With ruin of a clan, all the traditional rites and duties of the family are destroyed. When this happens lawlessness and vice over powers the entire family.
Explanation: Arjuna reasons that destruction of a clan or the elders of the clan will result in lawlessness.
The younger off-springs would tread on the path of vice and move away from spiritualism.

Arjuna speaks out his mind to the Lord.

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