In Bhagavad Gita 1.42, Arjuna says that such confusion leads the destroyers of the family and the family itself to hell, and the ancestors fall, deprived of their offerings.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
सङ्करो नरकायैव
कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च
पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां
लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः ॥ १-४२ ॥
saṅkaro narakāyaiva
kulaghnānāṃ kulasya ca
patanti pitaro hyeṣāṃ
luptapiṇḍodakakriyāḥ
English transliteration sankaro narakaayaiva
kulaghnaanaam kulasya cha
patanti pitaro hyeshaam
luptapindodakakriyaah ॥ 1.42 ॥
Translation / Meaning
This confusion leads the family and its destroyers to hell; for their ancestors fall, deprived of the offerings of rice-balls and water.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सङ्करः saṅkaraḥ | confusion |
| नरकाय narakāya | to hell |
| एव eva | indeed |
| कुलघ्नानाम् kulaghnānām | of the destroyers of the family kula (family) + ghnānām (of the destroyers) |
| कुलस्य kulasya | of the family |
| च ca | and |
| पतन्ति patanti | fall |
| पितरः pitaraḥ | ancestors |
| हि hi | indeed |
| एषाम् eṣām | their |
| लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः luptapiṇḍodakakriyāḥ | deprived of the rites of rice-ball and water offerings lupta (discontinued) + piṇḍa (rice-ball) + udaka (water) + kriyāḥ (rites) |
Word-wise Chanting
- saṅ–ka–ro na–ra–kā–yai–va 8 syllables san-ka-ro na-ra-kaa-yai-va
- ku–lagh–nā–nāṃ ku–las–ya ca | 8 syllables ku-lagh-naa-naam ku-las-ya cha
- pa–tan–ti pi–ta–ro hye–ṣāṃ 8 syllables pa-tan-ti pi-ta-ro hye-shaam
- lup–ta–piṇ–ḍo–da–kak–ri–yāḥ || 1-42 8 syllables lup-ta-pin-do-da-kak-ri-yaah
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 42
Context
The chain of consequences that Arjuna foresees (1.40–1.44) continues.
Meaning
In Vedic tradition, descendants offer piṇḍa, rice-balls, and water to the ancestors in the śrāddha rites. Arjuna fears that if the family line is broken, no one will perform these rites, and the ancestors will lose their sustenance. His concern extends beyond the living to those who have gone before.
The deeper meaning of the verse is the continuity of gratitude across generations. Ritual offerings to ancestors express the recognition that we live on what they gave us. Arjuna fears breaking this chain. Krishna will show him that duty rightly performed does not break such chains but honours them at a higher level.
In Practice
Take a moment today to remember an ancestor or elder who made your life possible. Offer them a quiet thought of gratitude.
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.