Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 39 (BG 1.39) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

1.39 कथम् why? न not? ज्ञेयम् should be learnt? अस्माभिः by us? पापात् from sin? अस्मात् this? निवर्तितुम् to turn away? कुलक्षयकृतम् in the destruction of families? दोषम् evil? प्रपश्यद्भिः clearly seeing? जनार्दन O Janardana.Commentary Ignorance of law is no excuse but wanton sinful conduct is a grave crime? unworthy of us? who are wiser.

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

Blinded by greed for power and wealth, the Kauravas were unable to perceive the vast destruction that would befall the entire social fabric through this war. Their ambition had so clouded their discernment and compassion that they could not even comprehend the cruelty of slaying their own kinsmen in battle. From Arjuna's words, it appears that he had not lost his faculty of discrimination and could clearly see the future social ruin that would result from this fratricidal war. His present argument is somewhat as follows: If a friend, intoxicated and having lost himself, behaves rudely, would it not be even more strange to retaliate against him at that moment? We should understand that such a friend has lost his faculty of discernment and does not himself know what he is doing. In such circumstances, it is fitting for us to overlook his discourtesy and forgive him. Similarly, Arjuna's reasoning is: If Duryodhana and his allies, blinded by delusion, commit unjust aggression, should not the Pandavas refrain from war and sacrifice themselves upon the altar of peace? How dangerous this very conviction is, we shall understand when we examine the important passages on the knowledge of truth in the forthcoming sections of the Gita—which embodies the very essence of Indian life. Active resistance to unrighteousness is the principal doctrine that Lord Sri Krishna has expounded in the Gita.