Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 45 (BG 1.45) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

1.45 अहो बत alas? महत् great? पापम् sin? कर्तुम् to do? व्यवसिताः prepared? वयम् we? यत् that? राज्यसुखलोभेन by the greed of pleasure of kingdom? हन्तुम् to kill? स्वजनम् kinsmen? उद्यताः prepared.No Commentary.

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

In this verse, Arjuna's intellectual despair and mental exhaustion are plainly evident—a condition truly lamentable. Having lost his self-confidence, he speaks thus: "Alas, we are being driven toward sin," and so forth. This utterance makes it clear that rather than establishing his mastery over circumstances, Arjuna has himself become their victim. Lacking self-confidence, he feels helpless like a coward. This weakness of mind diminishes his valor, and to conceal it, he resorts to arguments that appear noble. He has misunderstood the very purpose of battle, and then falsely attributes selfish motives to the cause of dharma—motivated solely by his cowardice. His reasoning for peace is not born of understanding his own capacity, but rather from the weakness of his mind.