Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.37
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Arjuna spoke)
तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्स्वबान्धवान् । स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव ॥३७॥
tasmānnārhā vayaṃ hantuṃ dhārtarāṣṭrānsvabāndhavān | svajanaṃ hi kathaṃ hatvā sukhinaḥ syāma mādhava ||37||
Complete Shloka Translation
Therefore we should not kill Dhritarashtra's sons, our own relatives. Madhava, how could we be happy after killing our own people?
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तस्मात् | tasmāt | therefore |
| न अर्हाः | na arhāḥ | we ought not / it does not befit |
| वयम् | vayam | we |
| हन्तुम् | hantum | to kill |
| धार्तराष्ट्रान् | dhārtarāṣṭrān | the sons of Dhritarashtra |
| स्वबान्धवान् | sva-bāndhavān | our own brethren |
| स्वजनम् | svajanam | own kindred |
| हि | hi | indeed / for |
| कथम् | katham | how |
| हत्वा | hatvā | having slaughtered |
| सुखिनः | sukhinaḥ | happy and at peace |
| स्याम | syāma | could we ever become |
| माधव | mādhava | O Madhava (Krishna) |
therefore
we ought not / it does not befit
we
to kill
the sons of Dhritarashtra
our own brethren
own kindred
indeed / for
how
having slaughtered
happy and at peace
could we ever become
O Madhava (Krishna)
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
This conclusion joins his earlier concerns about reward, affection, and sin. It remains Arjuna's position at this stage of the dialogue; Krishna has not yet examined its assumptions or explained the competing duties.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Arjuna concludes that a victory gained through killing his family cannot make him happy."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What would remain of my success if it destroyed a relationship I value?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
The Impossibility of Happiness Founded on Kinsmen's Destruction: Arjuna concludes we cannot be happy killing our relatives. True peace of mind cannot be purchased by destroying interpersonal bonds.