Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.35
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Arjuna spoke)
एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन । अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते ॥३५॥
etānna hantumicchāmi ghnato'pi madhusūdana | api trailokyarājyasya hetoḥ kiṃ nu mahīkṛte ||35||
Complete Shloka Translation
Madhusudana, I do not wish to kill them, even if they kill me—not even for sovereignty over the three worlds, much less for the earth.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| एतान् | etān | these very relatives |
| न | na | not |
| हन्तुम् | hantum | to slay / kill |
| इच्छामि | icchāmi | do I wish |
| घ्नतः अपि | ghnataḥ api | even if they strike me dead |
| मधुसूदन | madhusūdana | O slayer of demon Madhu (Krishna) |
| अपि | api | even |
| त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य | trailokya-rājyasya | for dominion over the three worlds |
| हेतोः | hetoḥ | for the sake of |
| किम् नु | kim nu | what then to speak of |
| महीकृते | mahī-kṛte | for this earthly realm alone |
these very relatives
not
to slay / kill
do I wish
even if they strike me dead
O slayer of demon Madhu (Krishna)
even
for dominion over the three worlds
for the sake of
what then to speak of
for this earthly realm alone
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The comparison with sovereignty over three worlds intensifies his refusal; it does not describe an offer actually made to him. His willingness to endure attack belongs to this battlefield argument and should not be generalized into advice to accept harm.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Arjuna considers even the greatest reward inadequate to justify killing his relatives."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What limits would I place on pursuing even a very attractive reward?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
The Ethical Dilemma of Retaliation vs. Restraint: Even if they seek to slay me, I do not wish to kill them. Choosing restraint over brutal retaliation is a profound moral test. Modern dispute resolution favors de-escalation over scorched-earth retaliation.