सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च। पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः।।1.42।।
saṅkaraḥ narakāya eva kula-ghnānām kulasya cha patanti pitaro hy eṣhāṁ lupta-piṇḍodaka-kriyāḥ
Translation
"An increase in unwanted progeny leads to hell for the destroyers of the family and for the family itself. Deprived of the offerings of food and water, the ancestors fall from their position."
Word Meanings
saṅkaraḥ — unwanted children; narakāya — hellish; eva — indeed; kula-ghnānām — for those who destroy the family; kulasya — of the family; cha — also; patanti — fall; pitaraḥ — ancestors; hi — verily; eṣhām — their; lupta — deprived of; piṇḍodaka-kriyāḥ — performances of sacrificial offerings
Understanding the Verse
In this verse, Arjuna expresses concern that if warriors die and family systems break down, the regular ancestral rituals (piṇḍa and udaka) will stop. According to Vedic tradition, this causes the ancestors to suffer, and both the killers of the family and the family line fall into spiritual degradation (naraka, or hell). Arjuna understands that family is the foundation of religious practice, and the disruption of family traditions impacts both the living and the dead. The performance of rites, such as offering food and water to ancestors (piṇḍa and udaka), is vital for their peace and spiritual elevation. Without these offerings, the ancestors fall from their position, and their souls suffer. This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining dharma and the continuity of family traditions to ensure spiritual welfare and avoid downfall.
