कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम्। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन।।1.39।।
kathaṁ na jñeyam asmābhiḥ pāpād asmān nivartitum kula-kṣhaya-kṛitaṁ doṣhaṁ prapaśhyadbhir janārdana
Translation
BG 1.39: Their thoughts are overpowered by greed, and they see no wrong in annihilating their relatives or wreaking treachery upon friends. Yet, O Janardana (Krishna), why should we, who can clearly see the crime in killing our kindred, not turn away from this sin?
Word Meanings
katham — why na — not jñeyam — should be known asmābhiḥ — by us pāpāt — from sin asmāt — these nivartitum — to turn away kula-kṣhaya — killing the kindered kṛitam — done doṣham — crime prapaśhyadbhir — who can see janārdana — he who looks after the public, Shree Krishna
Understanding the Verse
In Chapter 1, Verse 39, Arjuna highlights the moral blindness of the Kauravas. Despite their clear wrongdoings, they fail to recognize the sinful consequences of destroying their own family members and betraying their friends. Arjuna attributes this moral blindness to their overwhelming greed and self-interest. Arjuna’s Righteousness Arjuna, deeply concerned about righteousness, questions why he, who can clearly see the sinful nature of killing his own kin, should partake in such an act. His moral dilemma arises from the fact that the Kauravas, consumed by their desires, do not see the destructive consequences of their actions. Arjuna’s righteous nature contrasts with the Kauravas’ greed and ambition, as he believes that to kill relatives would only deepen their sin. The Nature of Greed and Its Consequences Arjuna’s words in this verse reveal a profound understanding of human nature. He observes that greed clouds one’s judgment, leading them to commit heinous acts without recognizing the moral and spiritual harm involved. He implores Krishna (Janardana, the protector of people) to guide him, as Arjuna does not wish to repeat the Kauravas' mistakes, which have led them to annihilate their own family and engage in treachery. Arjuna’s Conflict: Dharma vs. Duty Arjuna’s internal conflict is rooted in the clash between dharma (righteous duty) and adharma (unrighteous actions). His righteousness compels him to question the legitimacy of killing his own relatives, even though they are on the opposing side. This conflict sets the stage for Krishna’s teachings on Karma Yoga, where Krishna will instruct Arjuna on how to act without attachment to the results and perform his duty without engaging in sinful actions. A Case from Mahabharata: Arjuna’s Compassion The tension between dharma and adharma is evident in another story from the Mahabharata: After the war, when Ashwatthama killed the Pandavas' sleeping sons in a night attack, Arjuna was faced with the decision of whether to take vengeance. Even though Ashwatthama had committed a heinous act, Arjuna was unsure of how to proceed. He sought Krishna’s guidance, and Krishna advised him to forgive Ashwatthama because he was a Brahmin and a disciple of their teacher, Dronacharya. However, Krishna also made it clear that anyone who seeks to kill must be punished, emphasizing that even though Ashwatthama had made a mistake, his crime was not to be overlooked. In the end, Arjuna spared Ashwatthama's life but punished him symbolically by cutting his brahmin's tuft and taking his jewel. This act was a spiritual punishment and a means of preserving dharma.
