In Bhagavad Gita 1.39, Arjuna asks why they, who clearly see the evil of destroying a family, should not turn away from this sin.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः
पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम्
कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं
प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन ॥ १-३९ ॥
kathaṃ na jñeyamasmābhiḥ
pāpādasmānnivartitum
kulakṣayakṛtaṃ doṣaṃ
prapaśyadbhirjanārdana
English transliteration katham na jneyamasmaabhih
paapaadasmaannivartitum
kulakshayakritam dosham
prapashyadbhirjanaardana ॥ 1.39 ॥
Translation / Meaning
why should we, who clearly see the evil in destroying a family, not learn to turn away from this sin, O Janardana?
Verses 1.38–1.39 form one sentence.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| कथम् katham | why |
| न na | not |
| ज्ञेयम् jñeyam | should be known |
| अस्माभिः asmābhiḥ | by us |
| पापात् pāpāt | from sin |
| अस्मात् asmāt | this |
| निवर्तितुम् nivartitum | to turn away |
| कुलक्षयकृतम् kulakṣayakṛtam | caused by the destruction of the family kula (family) + kṣaya (destruction) + kṛtam (caused) |
| दोषम् doṣam | evil, fault |
| प्रपश्यद्भिः prapaśyadbhiḥ | by those who clearly see |
| जनार्दन janārdana | O Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa) |
Word-wise Chanting
- ka–thaṃ na jñe–ya–mas–mā–bhiḥ 8 syllables ka-tham na jne-ya-mas-maa-bhih
- pā–pā–das–mān–ni–var–ti–tum | 8 syllables paa-paa-das-maan-ni-var-ti-tum
- ku–la–kṣa–ya–kṛ–taṃ do–ṣaṃ 8 syllables ku-la-ksha-ya-kri-tam do-sham
- pra–paś–yad–bhir–ja–nār–da–na || 1-39 8 syllables pra-pash-yad-bhir-ja-naar-da-na
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 39
Context
This verse completes the argument begun in 1.38.
Meaning
Arjuna’s reasoning is that knowledge brings responsibility. If the Kauravas, blinded by greed, cannot see the harm of war, the Pandavas, who can see it, must be the ones to step back. It is a serious ethical point, and it shows Arjuna as a person of conscience.
Yet Arjuna’s seeing is still partial. He sees the harm of fighting but not the harm of refusing to resist injustice. Krishna will show him a fuller picture. The verse teaches that moral vision is a gift that carries obligation, and that our seeing must be complete before it can guide action well.
In Practice
When you feel morally certain, ask what you might not be seeing. Look for one fact or perspective that would complicate your view.
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.