निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन । पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः ॥ ३६ ॥
nihatya dhārtarāṣhṭrān naḥ kā prītiḥ syāj janārdana pāpam evāśhrayed asmān hatvaitān ātatāyinaḥ
Translation
What joy could we have, O Janardan, in killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? Only sin would come to us from slaying these aggressors.
Hindi Meaning (हिंदी अर्थ)
हे जनार्दन! धृतराष्ट्र के पुत्रों को मारकर हमें क्या प्रसन्नता मिलेगी? इन आततायियों को मारकर हमें पाप ही लगेगा।
Commentary
Arjun admits the Kauravas are ātatāyī — aggressors, a technical term in the dharma texts for those who set fire to homes, poison, attack with weapons or seize others' land and wives, all of which Duryodhan had attempted against the Pandavas. The law allowed such aggressors to be killed; Arjun argues that killing one's own family is a sin all the same. He is setting his feelings against scripture — a conflict Krishna will soon address.