I do not want to kill these people, even if they kill me, O Madhusudana. Not even for the rule of the three worlds, much less for the earth.
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 1.35
Hindi · हिन्दी
आचार्य, पिता, पुत्र और उसी प्रकार पितामह, मामा, ससुर, पौत्र, साले तथा अन्य जितने भी सम्बन्धी हैं, मुझपर प्रहार करने पर भी मैं इनको मारना नहीं चाहता, और हे मधुसूदन मुझे त्रिलोकी का राज्य मिलता हो, तो भी मैं इनको मारना नहीं चाहता, फिर पृथ्वीके लिये तो मैं इनको मारूँ ही क्या ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
एतान्theseनnotहन्तुम्to killइच्छामिI wantघ्नतःof the one killingअपिevenमधुसूदनO Madhusudanaअपिevenत्रैलोक्य-राज्यस्यof the rule of the three worldsहेतोःfor the sakeकिंwhatनुindeedमही-कृतेfor the earth
Read literallythese · not · to kill · I want · of the one killing · even · O Madhusudana · even · of the rule of the three worlds · for the sake · what · indeed · for the earth
Understanding the verse
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It shifts the mind from winning at any cost to measuring the moral cost of victory.
01
In plain words
What this verse means
Arjuna says he cannot bring himself to kill his own relatives, even for power over all three worlds, let alone for a kingdom on earth.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna sees teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, and in-laws standing opposite him. His bow has not yet fallen completely, but his resolve is breaking. He tells Krishna that no kingdom could justify killing them.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You are one signature away from harming a family member's future, and the reward is huge. Something in you knows the price is too high.
The takeaway
“Some choices feel wrong even when they promise everything. The heart can refuse what ambition wants.”
It shifts the mind from winning at any cost to measuring the moral cost of victory.
What this verse means
Arjuna says he cannot bring himself to kill his own relatives, even for power over all three worlds, let alone for a kingdom on earth.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna sees teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, and in-laws standing opposite him. His bow has not yet fallen completely, but his resolve is breaking. He tells Krishna that no kingdom could justify killing them.
Why this verse still matters
You are one signature away from harming a family member's future, and the reward is huge. Something in you knows the price is too high.
“Some choices feel wrong even when they promise everything. The heart can refuse what ambition wants.”
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses), arjuna vishada (14 verses)