Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.43
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Arjuna spoke)
दोषैरेतैः कुलघ्नानां वर्णसङ्करकारकैः । उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्माः कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वताः ॥४३॥
doṣairetaiḥ kulaghnānāṃ varṇasaṅkarakārakaiḥ | utsādyante jātidharmāḥ kuladharmāśca śāśvatāḥ ||43||
Complete Shloka Translation
Through these faults of family-destroyers, which bring about confusion of social lineages, the longstanding duties of communities and families are uprooted.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| दोषैः | doṣaiḥ | by these catastrophic sins |
| एतैः | etaiḥ | by all these |
| कुलघ्नानाम् | kulaghnānām | of the destroyers of the lineage |
| वर्णसङ्करकारकैः | varṇasaṅkara-kārakaiḥ | which generate societal and ethical breakdown |
| उत्साद्यन्ते | utsādyante | are completely eradicated and ruined |
| जातिधर्माः | jāti-dharmāḥ | community traditions of righteousness |
| कुलधर्माः | kula-dharmāḥ | immemorial duties of the clan |
| च | ca | and |
| शाश्वताः | śāśvatāḥ | eternal and foundational codes |
by these catastrophic sins
by all these
of the destroyers of the lineage
which generate societal and ethical breakdown
are completely eradicated and ruined
community traditions of righteousness
immemorial duties of the clan
and
eternal and foundational codes
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The paired references to community duties and family duties broaden his social argument. Explaining this historical concern does not require assuming that every inherited practice is just or that lineage determines a person's worth.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Arjuna sees the damage as reaching inherited social practices beyond one household."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which inherited practices nurture people, and which need thoughtful examination?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
The Devastation of Longstanding Community Trust: Ruining family duties ruins community stability. Broken trust in leadership, contracts, or marriage destroys social capital that takes generations to rebuild.