Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 40 (BG 1.40) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

1.40 कुलक्षये in the destruction of a family? प्रणश्यन्ति perish? कुलधर्माः family religious rites? सनातनाः immemorial? धर्मे spirituality? नष्टे being destroyed? कुलम् कृत्स्नम् the whole family? अधर्मः impiety? अभिभवति overcomes? उत indeed.Commentary Dharma -- the duties and ceremonies practised by the family in accordance with the injunctions of the scriptures.

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

Just as a storyteller adds new details each time he recounts an old tale, so too does Arjun's creative intellect generate fresh arguments to reinforce his mistaken convictions. The moment he concludes one line of reasoning, another presents itself—a new justification behind which he seeks to conceal his inner weakness. Now his argument takes this form: when many families are destroyed in war, all manner of social and religious traditions will be obliterated, and soon unrighteousness will spread in every direction. Our ancestors have always possessed a special inclination toward new experiments in the realm of civilization and culture. They understood that the culture of a nation finds its foundation in the culture of the family. Therefore, Arjun makes particular mention of the destruction of family dharma, for its ruin carries grave and far-reaching consequences.