2.4
अर्जुन उवाच | कथं भीष्ममहं सङ्ख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन | इषुभिः प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन ||४||
arjuna uvācha kathaṁ bhīṣhmam ahaṁ saṅkhye droṇaṁ cha madhusūdana iṣhubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi pūjārhāv ari-sūdana
Translation
Arjuna said: O Madhusudana, O killer of enemies, how can I shoot arrows in battle against Bhishma and Drona, who are worthy of worship?
Interpretation
Arjuna raises the most emotionally charged specific objection: Bhishma (his great-uncle and patriarch) and Drona (his revered teacher). These are not just opponents — they are elders who deserve reverence. To kill them would violate the fundamental dharma of respect for one's teachers and elders.