Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga - The Yoga of KnowledgeArjuna
Verse 5
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 2, श्लोक 5
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
गुरूनहत्वा हि महानुभावान्
श्रेयो भोक्तुं भैक्ष्यमपीह लोके।
हत्वार्थकामांस्तु गुरूनिहैव
भुञ्जीय भोगान्रुधिरप्रदिग्धान्॥५॥
Transliteration
Gurun-Ahatva Hi Maha-Anubhavan
Shreyo Bhoktum Bhaiksham-Api-Iha Loke.
Hatva-Artha-Kamams-Tu Gurun-Ihaiva
Bhunjiya Bhogan Rudhira-Pradigdhan.||5||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
गुरून्gurunteachers/elders
अहत्वाahatvanot killing
महानुभावान्maha-anubhavangreat souls
श्रेयःshreyahbetter
भोक्तुम्bhoktumto enjoy/eat
भैक्ष्यम्bhaikshamfood obtained by begging
हत्वाhatvahaving killed
अर्थकामान्artha-kamandesirous of wealth
भोगान्bhoganenjoyments
रुधिरप्रदिग्धान्rudhira-pradigdhansmeared with blood
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
इन महानुभाव गुरुजनों को न मारकर इस लोक में भिक्षा का अन्न खाना भी श्रेष्ठ है। गुरुओं को मारकर तो इस लोक में रक्त से सने भोग ही भोगने पड़ेंगे।
English Translation
It would be better to live in this world by begging than to kill these great-souled teachers. If I were to slay them, all my enjoyments in this world would be smeared with blood.
Commentary (टीका)
Arjuna prefers the life of a beggar over royal pleasures stained by the blood of his teachers. This verse shows the depth of Indian reverence for the guru. The image of 'blood-smeared enjoyments' is viscerally powerful — wealth and pleasure obtained through violence against the revered can never bring peace.