Pity can sometimes cause one to lose sight of their duty.

Arjuna, seeing the relatives, teachers, and friends on both sides of the army, was overwhelmed by deep pity and sorrow. He saw the people in front of him not as enemies to be fought against, but as loved ones who were about to be lost, and his heart began to break.

Compassion may seem like a good emotion in general. However, the commentary explains that here, compassion is described as a force that makes Arjuna forget his duty and courage as a Kshatriya. It raises the question of whether the emotion itself, regardless of its apparent beauty, keeps a person from fulfilling their role. From here, Arjuna's words of suffering begin, continuing until verse 46.

Japanese Translation from the Geeta Press Edition - Chapter 1, Section 27 (second half) to Section 28 (first half): "Covered with Deep Compassion"

Then Arjuna, with a heavy heart, surveyed the entire battlefield.

Filled with profound compassion, he spoke these words:

Vocabulary

"tān samīkṣya" means "looking at them."

saḥ is "that same he".

"kaunteyaḥ" means "son of Kunti," which is Arjuna.

sarvān bandhūn avasthitān means, "all relatives who are present."

"kṛpayā parayā" means "with deep compassion."

āviṣṭaḥ means "filled," "covered."

viṣīdan means "sadly."

"idam abravit" means "he/she said these words."

Translation

Looking at all the relatives who were there, Arjuna, son of Kunti, was covered with deep compassion.

And while immersed in sorrow, he spoke the following words:

Annotative Translation

In the previous half-verse, the uncles of Arjuna, who were standing in both armies, the grandfathers, and many other relatives were mentioned.

However, among the warriors, there were some whose relationship with him was not clearly stated in that context.

For example, the wives' brothers of Drishthadyumna, Shikhandin, and Slata.

Also, the husbands of his sisters, such as Jayadratha.

Furthermore, They are warriors who have relationships with him in various other ways.

In this section, when Sanjaya says, "all those relatives who are there," it includes all of those people.

Arjuna saw those who were arrayed for battle, people who were close and dear to him.

And they all, I thought, would inevitably meet their deaths in the impending great catastrophe.

At that moment, his heart collapsed.

He was suddenly seized by emotions that were the opposite of what a warrior should possess.

It was a cowardice born from excessive sympathy and kindness.

This is what Sanjaya calls "deep compassion."

Under that influence, Arjuna forgot his original nature, that is, the courage of a Kshatriya.

Therefore, he is said to be "full of mercy."

In this section, "idam," which means "these words," refers to all the words spoken by Arjuna from the next section to Section 46.