निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव। न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे।।1.31।।
na ca śreyo ’nupaśyāmi hatvā sva-janam āhavena kāṅkṣe vijayaṁ kṛṣhṇa na ca rājyaṁ sukhāni ca
Translation
O Govinda! Of what use is the kingdom to us? Of what use are the pleasures thereof and life itself, if we kill our own kinsmen in this battle?
Word Meanings
na — nor ca — also śreyaḥ — good anupaśyāmi — do I foresee hatvā — by killing sva-janam — own kinsmen āhave — in the fight na — nor kāṅkṣe — do I desire vijayam — victory kṛṣṇa — O Krishna na — nor ca — also rājyam — kingdom sukhāni — happiness thereof ca — also
Understanding the Verse
In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 31, Arjuna continues his emotional and moral crisis, speaking to Krishna with a sense of deep disillusionment. He acknowledges that he sees no good outcome from the war, as it will result in the destruction of his own family members. For Arjuna, victory, kingdom, and the pleasures of life seem utterly meaningless if the cost is the loss of his loved ones in battle. Arjuna's internal struggle intensifies as he contemplates the futility of the war. He expresses that the very idea of achieving victory or securing a kingdom holds no value if it means killing those he loves. His soul recoils at the thought of causing the destruction of his relatives, friends, and teachers—people he holds dear. Arjuna now sees that no material reward, not even victory or the pleasures of a kingdom, can bring him peace or happiness if it comes at the expense of such enormous personal and moral loss. This verse highlights the intense conflict Arjuna faces between his duty as a warrior and his deep attachment to his family. His attachment has led him to question the very purpose of the war, and he begins to doubt the righteousness of fighting for something that would result in such destruction. Arjuna's willingness to give up the kingdom and pleasure of life is a powerful reflection of his disillusionment and inner turmoil. His address to Krishna as Govinda (meaning "the protector of cows" or "the one who brings pleasure to the earth") adds a layer of emotional depth, as Arjuna is not only seeking guidance from Krishna but is also expressing his frustration with the very nature of the battle.
