Bhagavad Gita 1.37
Sanskrit
स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव
Transliteration
sva-janaṁ hi kathaṁ hatvā sukhinaḥ syāma mādhava
Synonyms
yadi: if;
api: even;
ete: they;
na: do not;
paśyanti: see;
lobha: by greed;
upahata: overpowered;
cetasaḥ: their hearts;
kula: kṣaya — in killing the family;
kṛtam: done;
doṣam: fault;
mitra: drohe — in quarreling with friends;
ca: also;
pātakam: sinful reactions;
katham: why;
na: should not;
jñeyam: be known;
asmābhiḥ: by us;
pāpāt: from sins;
asmāt: these;
nivartitum: to cease;
kula: kṣaya — in the destruction of a dynasty;
kṛtam: done;
doṣam: crime;
prapaśyadbhiḥ: by those who can see;
janārdana: O Kṛṣṇa .;
English Meaning
O Janārdana, although these men, their hearts overtaken by greed, see no fault in killing one’s family or quarreling with friends, why should we, who can see the crime in destroying a family, engage in these acts of sin?
Life Theme
Moral Conflict
Life Application
Facing a difficult decision where emotions clash with responsibilities, reminding us to pause and reflect before acting.