Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.41
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Arjuna spoke)
अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः । स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः ॥४१॥
adharmābhibhavātkṛṣṇa praduṣyanti kulastriyaḥ | strīṣu duṣṭāsu vārṣṇeya jāyate varṇasaṅkaraḥ ||41||
Complete Shloka Translation
Krishna, when wrongdoing prevails, the women of the family become corrupted; when the women are corrupted, O descendant of Vrishni, confusion of social lineages arises.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अधर्माभिभवात् | adharma-abhibhavāt | from the reign and rise of adharma |
| कृष्ण | kṛṣṇa | O Krishna |
| प्रदुष्यन्ति | praduṣyanti | become compromised and polluted |
| कुलस्त्रियः | kula-striyaḥ | the noble women of the household |
| स्त्रीषु | strīṣu | when women |
| दुष्टासु | duṣṭāsu | become corrupted |
| वार्ष्णेय | vārṣṇeya | O scion of the Vrishnis (Krishna) |
| जायते | jāyate | there arises |
| वर्णसङ्करः | varṇa-saṅkaraḥ | chaotic confusion of values and lineages |
from the reign and rise of adharma
O Krishna
become compromised and polluted
the noble women of the household
when women
become corrupted
O scion of the Vrishnis (Krishna)
there arises
chaotic confusion of values and lineages
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Varna-sankara refers here to a feared mixing or disruption of social lineages, within Arjuna's argument. The translation preserves his claim, while this commentary does not endorse blaming women or treating anyone as inferior because of birth or marriage.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Arjuna's fear of social breakdown draws on the gender and lineage assumptions of his setting."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Can I understand a historical claim without using it to judge another person's worth?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Protection of Family Harmony and Social Dignity: Arjuna expresses concern about the corruption of lineage and disrespect to women. In healthy societies and modern workplaces, ensuring safety, dignity, and empowerment for women is foundational to collective progress.