Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.32
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Arjuna spoke)
न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च । किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा ॥३२॥
na kāṅkṣe vijayaṃ kṛṣṇa na ca rājyaṃ sukhāni ca | kiṃ no rājyena govinda kiṃ bhogairjīvitena vā ||32||
Complete Shloka Translation
I do not desire victory, Krishna, nor a kingdom or pleasures. Govinda, what use is a kingdom to us, or enjoyment, or even life?
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| न | na | not |
| काङ्क्षे | kāṅkṣe | do I crave / desire |
| विजयम् | vijayam | triumph / victory |
| कृष्ण | kṛṣṇa | O Krishna |
| न च | na ca | nor |
| राज्यम् | rājyam | sovereign kingdom |
| सुखानि | sukhāni | pleasures and comforts |
| च | ca | and |
| किम् | kim | what purpose |
| नः | naḥ | to us |
| राज्येन | rājyena | by possessing kingdom |
| गोविन्द | govinda | O Govinda |
| किम् | kim | what value |
| भोगैः | bhogaiḥ | with worldly delights |
| जीवितेन | jīvitena | with life itself |
| वा | vā | or even |
not
do I crave / desire
triumph / victory
O Krishna
nor
sovereign kingdom
pleasures and comforts
and
what purpose
to us
by possessing kingdom
O Govinda
what value
with worldly delights
with life itself
or even
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Arjuna questions the value of outcomes that had previously motivated the conflict. The next verse explains this through the people for whose sake those rewards were desired; it is not yet a settled teaching about renunciation.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The usual rewards of victory lose meaning for Arjuna."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What makes a desired achievement meaningful to me?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Devaluing Material Success in Existential Crisis: Arjuna renounces desire for kingdom, victory, and sensory pleasures. In deep crises, wealth and titles lose all meaning. Authentic fulfillment requires inner harmony, not external trophies.