Verse 1.36 : Arjuna Vishada Yoga "The Grief of Arjuna"

Arjuna argues that killing Duryodhana and his brothers will bring only sin (pāpa). According to ancient law (Manu Smriti), there are six kinds of aggressors (ātatāyī) who can be killed without incurring sin: arsonists, poisoners, armed attackers, robbers, land-grabbers, and wife-abductors. Duryodhana had committed all six against the Pandavas. Yet, Arjuna's mind is so clouded by attachment that he ignores this law and claims that killing them is sinful.

Arjuna addresses Krishna as Janardana (He who maintains and excites all living beings). He asks: How can the maintainer of life support this slaughter? Arjuna's argument shows the danger of selective logic. He uses moral rules to defend his inaction, while ignoring the larger moral requirement to establish justice and protect society from Duryodhana's tyranny.

We often use moral arguments to avoid taking necessary but painful actions. For example, we might refuse to report a corrupt colleague because we 'don't want to hurt anyone.' This is not kindness; it is weakness. We must look at the larger consequence of our inaction: by protecting the wrong-doer, we allow injustice to continue.