Bhagavad Gita : Chapter 1

When the warring cousins, Pandavas and Kauravas, met in the holy land of Kurukshethra, Duryodhana approached Drona and spoke these words.

"Sir, see the great army of Pandu's sons, led by Bheema, all of them as brave as Bheema and Arjuna themselves, Great warriors they are indeed, Drupada and his son, the sons of Subhadra and Droupadi , and so many other heroes.

Let me, for the record, list our excellent leaders, you yourself, Bheeshma, Karna, and so many others staking their lives for my sake.

They are masters of various weapons, and all skilled in warfare. Still our army, led by Bheeshma, seems to me somehow lacking, while theirs is not so. Please take your proper places and protect Bheeshma."

At that moment to his great joy, Bheesma blew his horn with a loud war-cry. Immediately, it was followed by the blowing of horns and beating of drums, filling the air with tumultuous sound.
Then in their grand chariot, drawn by milky-white horses, stood Krishna and Arjuna, and blew their god-gifted horns, soon followed the sounds of horns blown individually by everyone in the Pandava army, which reverberated through sky and earth, and tore through the hearts of Duryodhana's army.

Seeing that the the opposite side was ready and the war was about to start, Arjuna lifted his mighty Gandiva bow and addressed Krishna thus.

"Krishna, please stop for a while the chariot in between the two armies. I would like to have a close look at these people, with whom I have to fight. They have all turned up to please this evil-minded Duryodhana."

So spoken to, Krishna halted the chariot in the middle between the armies ranged on either side, in front of Bheeshma, Drona and all other great leaders, and said. " See, there they stand all the Kauravas, your foes."

And Arjuna saw standing before him all his cousins, and felt a great sense of pity. Overcome by sorrow, he said.

"I am feeling weak, my mouth is drying up, I am trembling and my hairs stand on end. My bow is slipping from my hands, and my whole skin seems to burn. I cannot stand, I feel dizzy.

All around I see bad omens. I see no good in killing my own people. I am not after victory. I do not want power or pleasures.
What's the use of kingdom, enjoyments or life itself! They, my
teachers sons and other dear ones, for whom we want kingdom enjoyments
and pleasures stand there, unmindful of their wealth and life.

Even if they want to kill me, I do not want to kill them.

Not for all the three worlds,then why for this earth. What satisfaction would I have in killing these cousins of mine? The only result I see is accumulation of sin. After all, they are our cousins.

We should not kill them. How can anybody be happy after killing his own people? It may be that they in their greed do not see the great harm in ruining our ancient family and the sin of hurting friends.

Krishna, Why can't we, who know better, draw back from this sinful action? Family destroyed, all the ancient sacred duties of the family perish. With that, the family will be overtaken by lawlessness, the women lose their character.

With the women lost, will spread promiscuousness. It is the certain path to hell for the family and the ruiners of family!

The souls of the dead will perish, deprived of food and water offerings. Because of all these reasons, the duties of caste and family will be broken and this leads to eternal life in hell, they say.

Oh! By trying to kill our own people, we are about to commit a great sin, in our greed for power and wealth!

It would be better for me, I think, if they, weapons in hand, attack and kill me, without me retaliating or lifting up arms"

Saying this, Arjuna in deep sorrow, dropped his bow and arrows, sat down on the floor of the chariot.