Chapter 1 · Arjuna Vishada Yoga - The Yoga of Arjuna's DespondencyArjuna
Verse 39
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 1, श्लोक 39
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम्।
कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन॥३९॥
Transliteration
Katham Na Jneyam-Asmabhih Papad-Asman Nivartitum.
Kula-Kshaya-Kritam Dosham Prapashyadbhir-Janardana.||39||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
कथम्kathamwhy
नnanot
ज्ञेयम्jneyamshould be known/understood
अस्माभिःasmabhihby us
पापात्papatfrom this sin
अस्मात्asmatfrom this
निवर्तितुम्nivartitumto turn back
कुलक्षयकृतम्kula-kshaya-kritamcaused by family destruction
दोषम्doshamevil
प्रपश्यद्भिःprapashyadbhihthose who can see
जनार्दनjanardanaO Krishna
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
हे जनार्दन! परन्तु कुल-नाश के दोष को जानने वाले हमें इस पाप से हटने का विवेक क्यों नहीं होना चाहिए?
English Translation
O Janardana, why should we, who can clearly see the evil in destroying the family, not have the wisdom to turn away from this sin?
Commentary (टीका)
Arjuna claims moral superiority — if the Kauravas are blind to sin, those who can see it (like the Pandavas) bear even greater responsibility to avoid it. This argument sounds wise but confuses passive avoidance of sin with active performance of duty, a distinction Krishna will clarify.