Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.39
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Arjuna spoke)
कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम् । कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन ॥३९॥
kathaṃ na jñeyamasmābhiḥ pāpādasmānnivartitum | kulakṣayakṛtaṃ doṣaṃ prapaśyadbhirjanārdana ||39||
Complete Shloka Translation
Janardana, since we clearly see the wrong in destroying a family, how could we fail to understand that we should turn away from this sin?
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कथम् | katham | why / how |
| न | na | not |
| ज्ञेयम् | jñeyam | should it be recognized / known |
| अस्माभिः | asmābhiḥ | by us |
| पापात् | pāpāt | from this heinous sin |
| अस्मात् | asmāt | from this |
| निवर्तितुम् | nivartitum | to turn back / step away |
| कुलक्षयकृतम् | kula-kṣaya-kṛtam | wrought by the ruin of the dynasty |
| दोषम् | doṣam | the catastrophe |
| प्रपश्यद्भिः | prapaśyadbhiḥ | who clearly foresee the consequences |
| जनार्दन | janārdana | O Janardana |
why / how
not
should it be recognized / known
by us
from this heinous sin
from this
to turn back / step away
wrought by the ruin of the dynasty
the catastrophe
who clearly foresee the consequences
O Janardana
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
This completes the contrast begun in verse 1.38: another person's greed cannot excuse knowingly causing harm. Arjuna's reasoning now widens from personal loss to the effects of war on an entire family structure.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Recognizing a harmful consequence makes Arjuna feel accountable for avoiding it."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What responsibility comes with a consequence I can already foresee?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
The Burden of Moral Awareness: Knowing the consequences puts a higher responsibility on the conscious actor. When you possess ethical clarity, you cannot justify reckless actions by saying 'the other side started it.' Higher consciousness demands higher accountability.