येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च। त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च।।1.33।।
yeṣhām arthe kāṅkṣhitaṁ no rājyaṁ bhogāḥ sukhāni cha ta ime ’vasthitā yuddhe prāṇāṁs tyaktvā dhanāni cha
Translation
[These are our] teachers, fathers, sons and also paternal grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, son's sons, wives' brothers, and other relatives.
Word Meanings
yeṣhām — for whose arthe — sake kāṅkṣhitam — coveted for naḥ — by us rājyam — kingdom bhogāḥ — pleasures sukhāni — happiness cha — also te — they ime — these avasthitāḥ — situated yuddhe — for battle prāṇān — lives tyaktvā — giving up dhanāni — wealth cha — also
Understanding the Verse
In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 33, Arjuna addresses the great moral dilemma he faces. The people he is about to fight—his teachers, elders, family members, and friends—are not mere soldiers to him. They are beloved relatives who have stood by him throughout his life. These are the people for whose sake he could have aspired to kingdom, wealth, and pleasures. Now, seeing them on the battlefield, ready to fight and give up their lives and wealth, Arjuna is filled with sorrow. Arjuna acknowledges the immense loss that would come with a victory won through such destruction. The very people who represent the foundations of his life—his teachers, fathers, sons, uncles, and other relatives—are all standing in opposition. Arjuna realizes that no material gain, such as victory or kingdom, can bring him true happiness if it comes at the cost of losing these dear ones. His attachment to them makes him question the worth of such a victory, as it would mean losing what truly matters in life—his family and the values they represent. This verse reflects Arjuna's deep moral and emotional conflict. The idea of taking lives, especially those of relatives and loved ones, feels immoral to him. The very act of fighting against those he cherishes seems inherently wrong, and Arjuna struggles to reconcile his duties as a warrior with his love for his family. He is overwhelmed with compassion and sorrow, realizing that the world’s fleeting pleasures and achievements cannot outweigh the significance of relationships and familial bonds. While Arjuna’s thoughts are moral and driven by compassion, they stem from attachment to his loved ones rather than spiritual understanding. This attachment clouds his ability to see beyond the immediate emotional turmoil. Arjuna is on the verge of spiritual awakening, but his attachment to his relatives leads to confusion, making him lose control over his body and mind.
