यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम्।।1.38।।
yady apy ete na paśhyanti lobhopahata-chetasaḥ kula-kṣhaya-kṛitaṁ doṣhaṁ mitra-drohe cha pātakam
Translation
BG 1.38: Of course, these (Dhritarashtra's sons), with their intellect overpowered by greed, do not see the evil consequences ensuing from the ruin of the family and the sin in cheating friends.
Word Meanings
yadi api — even though ete — they na — not paśhyanti — see lobha — greed upahata — overpowered chetasaḥ — thoughts kula-kṣhaya-kṛitam — in annihilating their relatives doṣham — fault mitra-drohe — to wreak treachery upon friends cha — and pātakam — sin
Understanding the Verse
In Chapter 1, Verse 38, Arjuna observes that the Kauravas, particularly Duryodhana and his brothers, are driven by greed and selfish desires. Their thoughts and judgment are clouded by these negative emotions, causing them to ignore the grave consequences of their actions. Arjuna points out that the destruction of the family lineage (kula-kṣhaya) and the sin of betraying friends (mitra-droha) are among the dire consequences of their actions. Arjuna stresses that greed has blinded the Kauravas, making them unable to see the moral and spiritual harm in destroying their own family members. Killing one's own kin, as Arjuna sees it, is not just a physical destruction but also a spiritual loss that will bring negative consequences for generations to come. Moreover, treachery towards friends further deepens their sin. The Kauravas' inability to see these evils highlights their moral blindness, which is preventing them from recognizing the true nature of the war they are fighting. Arjuna's Righteous Nature Arjuna, a warrior of high moral standards, is distressed by the prospect of fighting and killing his relatives. He believes that actions rooted in greed and selfishness are immoral, and in this verse, he reflects on how these emotions have overtaken the Kauravas' minds, leading them to disregard dharma (righteous duty). Arjuna's deep sense of righteousness is clear: He would rather avoid violence if possible, and he seeks to understand how best to act in alignment with his dharma. The Battle Between Dharma and Greed While Arjuna recognizes the evil in the actions of the Kauravas, he also understands the importance of adhering to dharma (righteous duty). This internal conflict between his love for his family and his sense of moral duty sets the stage for Krishna's teachings on selfless action (Karma Yoga), where one must perform their duties without attachment to the results. In the Mahabharata, the actions of Ashwatthama during the war reflect a similar moral quandary. When Ashwatthama seeks to avenge his father's death by committing a massacre, Arjuna faces the dilemma of whether to take vengeance or forgive. Krishna guides Arjuna to act with wisdom, and in doing so, Arjuna spares Ashwatthama but punishes him by cutting off his Brahmin's tuft—a symbolic gesture of spiritual punishment.
