Bhagavad Gita · Arjuna Vishada YogaChapter 1, Shloka 40 (1.40)

Arjuna's argument — a blow to the foundation of society. Arjuna says that war does not kill only individuals; it kills the traditions that hold families and society together. Madhusudana explains the mechanism: family dharmas perish in the absence of those who perform them. When the men who carry out yajnas, sacraments and traditions die in war, the practice of dharma stops; and adharma engulfs the whole family that remains — the children and the rest.

A practical truth. Behind this argument lies a deep practical point: traditions live on in people more than in books. When a whole generation is wiped out in war, knowledge, skills, stories, rituals and moral boundaries go with them. No one is left to teach the children.

Shridhara's hint: Shridhara Svami calls the "adharma abhibhavati" of this shloka a manasa dosha (a fault of the mind) — that is, the first fall is of the mind and of values.

This is Arjuna's argument. All the ideas in this shloka and the next four (1.41–1.44) are Arjuna's — according to his own understanding and the social and religious outlook of his time. Krishna will answer them on a different level. This point will be very important in the shlokas that follow.