THE BAGBAT GITA

37. Therefore, we should not kill the sons of Dhritarashtra, our relatives; for, how can we be

happy by killing our own people, O Madhava (Krishna)?

Yadyapyete na pashyanti lobhopahatachetasah;

Kulakshayakritam dosham mitradrohe cha paatakam.

38. Though they, with intelligence overpowered by greed, see no evil in the destruction of

families, and no sin in hostility to friends,

Katham na jneyam asmaabhih paapaad asmaan nivartitum;

Kulakshayakritam dosham prapashyadbhir janaardana.

 

THE YOGA OF THE DESPONDENCY OF ARJUNA

39. Why should not we, who clearly see evil in the destruction of a family, learn to turn

away from this sin, O Janardana (Krishna)?

COMMENTARY: Ignorance of the law is no excuse and wanton sinful conduct is a crime

unworthy of knowledgeable people.

Kulakshaye pranashyanti kuladharmaah sanaatanaah;

Dharme nashte kulam kritsnam adharmo’bhibhavatyuta.

40. In the destruction of a family, the immemorial religious rites of that family perish; on the

destruction of spirituality, impiety overcomes the whole family.

COMMENTARY: Dharma pertains to the duties and ceremonies practised by the family

in accordance with scriptural injunctions.

Adharmaabhibhavaat krishna pradushyanti kulastriyah;

Streeshu dushtaasu vaarshneya jaayate varnasankarah.

41. By prevalence of impiety, O Krishna, the women of the family become corrupt and,

women becoming corrupted, O Varsneya (descendant of Vrishni), there arises intermingling of

castes!

Sankaro narakaayaiva kulaghnaanaam kulasya cha;

Patanti pitaro hyeshaam luptapindodakakriyaah.

42. Confusion of castes leads to hell the slayers of the family, for their forefathers fall,

deprived of the offerings of rice-ball and water.

Doshair etaih kulaghnaanaam varnasankarakaarakaih;

Utsaadyante jaatidharmaah kuladharmaashcha shaashwataah.

43. By these evil deeds of the destroyers of the family, which cause confusion of castes, the

eternal religious rites of the caste and the family are destroyed.

Utsannakuladharmaanaam manushyaanaam janaardana;

Narake’niyatam vaaso bhavateetyanushushruma.

44. We have heard, O Janardana, that inevitable is the dwelling for an unknown period in

hell for those men in whose families the religious practices have been destroyed!

Aho bata mahat paapam kartum vyavasitaa vayam;

Yadraajya sukhalobhena hantum swajanam udyataah.

45. Alas! We are involved in a great sin in that we are prepared to kill our kinsmen through

greed for the pleasures of a kingdom.