Why should we not turn away from this sin, when we clearly see the fault in destroying the family, O Janardana?
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 1.39
Hindi · हिन्दी
यद्यपि लोभ के कारण जिनका विवेकविचार लुप्त हो गया है, ऐसे ये दुर्योधन आदि कुल का नाश करने से होनेवाले दोष को और मित्रों के साथ द्वेष करने से होनेवाले पाप को नहीं देखते, तो भी हे जनार्दन कुल का नाश करने से होनेवाले दोष को ठीकठीक जाननेवाले हमलोग इस पाप से निवृत्त होनेका विचार क्यों न करें ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
कथंhowनnotज्ञेयम्to be knownअस्माभिःby usपापात्from sinअस्मात्from thisनिवर्तितुम्to turn backकुलक्षयकृतम्caused by family-destructionदोषम्faultप्रपश्यद्भिःby those clearly seeingजनार्दनO Janardana
Read literallyhow · not · to be known · by us · from sin · from this · to turn back · caused by family-destruction · fault · by those clearly seeing · O Janardana
Understanding the verse
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It shifts the mind from winning to refusing harm once the cost is understood.
Arjuna says that because he can see the harm caused by destroying the family, he and his side should turn away from this wrong action.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is no longer thinking like a warrior eager for victory. He sees that killing relatives will destroy the family itself, and he asks Krishna why they should not step back from such wrongdoing.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You are about to send the message that will break a family apart. The facts are clear, and so is the damage. This verse is the moment you ask whether continuing is worth becoming the person who did it.
The takeaway
“Seeing the damage clearly makes hesitation feel responsible, not weak.”
Arjuna says that because he can see the harm caused by destroying the family, he and his side should turn away from this wrong action.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 1.39?
Arjuna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Arjuna Vishada Yoga" (The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 1.39?
Verse 39 sits in Chapter 1 of the Bhagavad Gita — Arjuna Vishada Yoga, "The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair". The chapter has 47 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 1.39 matter today?
You are about to send the message that will break a family apart. The facts are clear, and so is the damage. This verse is the moment you ask whether continuing is worth becoming the person who did it.
It shifts the mind from winning to refusing harm once the cost is understood.
What this verse means
Arjuna says that because he can see the harm caused by destroying the family, he and his side should turn away from this wrong action.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is no longer thinking like a warrior eager for victory. He sees that killing relatives will destroy the family itself, and he asks Krishna why they should not step back from such wrongdoing.
Why this verse still matters
You are about to send the message that will break a family apart. The facts are clear, and so is the damage. This verse is the moment you ask whether continuing is worth becoming the person who did it.
“Seeing the damage clearly makes hesitation feel responsible, not weak.”
Explore related themes: adharma (12 verses)