आचार्या: पितर: पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहा: |
मातुला: श्वशुरा: पौत्रा: श्याला: सम्बन्धिनस्तथा || 34||
āchāryāḥ pitaraḥ putrās tathaiva cha pitāmahāḥ
mātulāḥ śhvaśhurāḥ pautrāḥ śhyālāḥ sambandhinas tathā
āchāryāḥ—teachers; pitaraḥ—fathers; putrāḥ—sons; tathā—as well; eva—indeed; cha—also; pitāmahāḥ—grandfathers; mātulāḥ—maternal uncles; śhvaśhurāḥ—fathers-in-law; pautrāḥ—grandsons; śhyālāḥ—brothers-in-law; sambandhinaḥ—kinsmen; tathā—as well;
Translation:
Those for whose sake we desire kingdom, enjoyments, and pleasures—teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in law, brothers-in-law, grandsons and other relations are all standing here ready for battle, having abandoned their wealth and very life even.
Arjuna reflects on the futility of wealth, power, and pleasure when they come at the cost of the lives of loved ones. He lists various familial relationships—teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives. These are not just distant connections but include those like Drishtadyumna, Shikhandi, Suratha, and Jayadratha, who are bound by deep familial and emotional ties.
In Arjuna’s eyes, the very essence of human effort revolves around securing wealth and pleasures for the sake of these relationships. They form the core of one’s affection and purpose in life. Yet, the tragedy lies in the irony that achieving power and wealth through battle would mean destroying the very people for whom such achievements are pursued.
The realization dawns on Arjuna that the kingdom, which once symbolized prosperity and happiness, would be reduced to a source of immense sorrow if it is acquired at the expense of the blood of his kin. The pleasures that were once anticipated with joy now appear hollow and filled with anguish, as they would forever be tainted by the loss of those he holds dear.
Arjuna’s deep conflict reflects the universal human dilemma of choosing between duty and desire, where the pursuit of material gains often comes at the cost of spiritual and emotional fulfillment. He questions the true value of such pursuits, understanding that without the presence of loved ones to share in the joys of success, the rewards are meaningless. The kingdom, once a symbol of triumph, is now seen as a monument to grief, underscoring the transient and often destructive nature of worldly aspirations.