उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन। नरकेऽनियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम।।1.44।।
utsanna-kula-dharmāṇāṁ manuṣhyāṇāṁ janārdana narake 'niyataṁ vāso bhavatītyanuśhuśhruma
Translation
O Janardan (Krishna), I have heard from the learned that those who destroy family traditions dwell in hell for an indefinite period of time.
Word Meanings
utsanna — destroyed; kula-dharmāṇām — whose family traditions; manuṣhyāṇām — of such human beings; janārdana — he who looks after the public, Shree Krishna; narake — in hell; aniyatam — indefinite; vāsaḥ — dwell; bhavati — is; iti — thus; anuśhuśhruma — I have heard from the learned
Understanding the Verse
In this verse, Arjuna is expressing his deep concern over the consequences of destroying family traditions. He shares that, according to what he has learned from the wise, those who engage in such sinful acts are condemned to dwell in hell indefinitely. Arjuna is particularly alarmed by the possibility of family members turning against each other in selfish or immoral actions, as often seen in history when individuals, driven by their desires, commit heinous acts like killing family members. However, Arjuna, being a saintly devotee of Lord Krishna, is deeply committed to moral principles. He is keen to avoid such sin and destruction of dharma, understanding that breaking family traditions not only leads to personal downfall but also affects society at large. By bringing up this issue, Arjuna emphasizes the eternal consequences of abandoning kula-dharma (family duty) and jāti-dharma (social duty).
