In Bhagavad Gita 1.32, Arjuna says he does not desire victory, kingdom or pleasures, asking Krishna what use a kingdom, enjoyments or even life would be.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण
न च राज्यं सुखानि च
किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द
किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा ॥ १-३२ ॥
na kāṅkṣe vijayaṃ kṛṣṇa
na ca rājyaṃ sukhāni ca
kiṃ no rājyena govinda
kiṃ bhogairjīvitena vā
English transliteration na kaankshe vijayam krishna
na cha raajyam sukhaani cha
kim no raajyena govinda
kim bhogairjeevitena vaa ॥ 1.32 ॥
Translation / Meaning
I do not desire victory, O Krishna, nor a kingdom, nor pleasures. Of what use to us is a kingdom, O Govinda, or enjoyments, or even life itself?
Verses 1.32–1.35 form one line of reasoning: the goods of victory are worthless without those he loves.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| न na | not |
| काङ्क्षे kāṅkṣe | I desire |
| विजयम् vijayam | victory |
| कृष्ण kṛṣṇa | O Kṛṣṇa |
| न na | nor |
| च ca | and |
| राज्यम् rājyam | kingdom |
| सुखानि sukhāni | pleasures |
| च ca | and |
| किम् kim | what use |
| नः naḥ | to us |
| राज्येन rājyena | with a kingdom |
| गोविन्द govinda | O Govinda (Kṛṣṇa) |
| किम् kim | what use |
| भोगैः bhogaiḥ | with enjoyments |
| जीवितेन jīvitena | with life |
| वा vā | or |
Word-wise Chanting
- na kāṅ–kṣe vi–ja–yaṃ kṛṣ–ṇa 8 syllables na kaan-kshe vi-ja-yam krish-na
- na ca rāj–yaṃ su–khā–ni ca | 8 syllables na cha raaj-yam su-khaa-ni cha
- kiṃ no rāj–ye–na go–vin–da 8 syllables kim no raaj-ye-na go-vin-da
- kiṃ bho–gair–jī–vi–te–na vā || 1-32 8 syllables kim bho-gair-jee-vi-te-na vaa
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 1 Verse 32
Context
Arjuna continues his reasons for not fighting, now questioning the very goals of the war.
Meaning
Arjuna renounces the fruits of victory. It sounds like detachment, and in a sense it is: he sees that kingdom and pleasure are empty if bought with the lives of loved ones. Yet his detachment comes from grief rather than wisdom. He has not risen above desire; he has been crushed by sorrow.
The Gita draws a subtle distinction here. Renunciation born of insight brings peace; renunciation born of despair brings paralysis. Arjuna will later learn to act without craving the fruits of action (2.47), which is very different from refusing to act because the fruits seem bitter. His words contain a seed of truth waiting for wisdom to ripen it.
In Practice
When you feel like giving something up, ask whether the impulse comes from clear insight or from discouragement. Wait for clarity before deciding.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (The Yoga of Arjuna’s Despondency). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.