436
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
[Canto 1, Ch. 8]
The way of work ( karma ) is like that. It creates one action and another reaction simultaneously and thus increases the chain of material activities, binding the performer in material bondage. In the  Bhagavad-gītā  (Bg. 9.27-28) the remedy is suggested that such actions and reactions of the path of work can be checked only when work is done on behalf of the Supreme Lord. The Battle of Kurukṣetra was actually fought by the will of the Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, as it is evident from His version, and by His will only Yudhiṣṭhira was replaced on the throne of Hastināpura. Therefore, factually no sin whatsoever touched the Pāṇḍavas, who were only the order carriers of the Lord. For others, who declare war out of personal interest, the whole responsibility lies on them.
TEXT 52
यथा पङ्केन पङ्काम्भः सुरया वा सुराक्रतम् । भूतहत्यां तथैवैकां न यज्ञैर्मार्ष्टुमर्हति ॥५२॥
yathā paṅkena paṅkāmbhaḥ surayā vā surākṛtam bhūta-hatyām tathaivaikām na yajñair mārṣṭum arhati
yathā —as much as;  paṅkena —by the mud;  paṅka-ambhaḥ —water mixed with mud;  surayā —by wine;  vā —either;  surākṛtam —impurity caused by the slight touch of wine;  bhūta-hatyām —killing of animals;  tathā —like that;  eva —certainly;  ekām —one;  na —never;  yajñaiḥ —by the prescribed sacrifices;  mārṣṭum —to counteract;  arhati —is worthwhile.
TRANSLATION
As it is not possible to filter muddy water through mud, nor purify a wine stained pot with wine, it is not possible to counteract the killing of men by sacrificing animals.
PURPORT
Aśvamedha yajñas  or  gomedha yajñas , or the sacrifices in which a horse or a bull is sacrificed, were not, of course, for the purpose of killing the animals. Lord Caitanya said that such animals sacrificed on the altar of  yajña  were rejuvenated and a new life was given to them. It was just to