In Bhagavad Gita 1.44, Arjuna says that he has heard that those whose family traditions are destroyed dwell in hell for an indefinite time.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां
मनुष्याणां जनार्दन
नरके नियतं वासो
भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम ॥ १-४४ ॥
utsannakuladharmāṇāṃ
manuṣyāṇāṃ janārdana
narake niyataṃ vāso
bhavatītyanuśuśruma
English transliteration utsannakuladharmaanaam
manushyaanaam janaardana
narake niyatam vaaso
bhavateetyanushushruma ॥ 1.44 ॥
Variant reading: नरकेऽनियतं
Translation / Meaning
O Janardana, we have heard that people whose family traditions have been destroyed dwell in hell for an indefinite time.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणाम् utsannakuladharmāṇām | of those whose family traditions are destroyed utsanna (destroyed) + kula (family) + dharmāṇām (traditions) |
| मनुष्याणाम् manuṣyāṇām | of men |
| जनार्दन janārdana | O Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa) |
| नरके narake | in hell |
| नियतम् niyatam | for an indefinite time, always |
| वासः vāsaḥ | dwelling |
| भवति bhavati | is |
| इति iti | thus |
| अनुशुश्रुम anuśuśruma | we have heard |
Word-wise Chanting
- ut–san–na–ku–la–dhar–mā–ṇāṃ 8 syllables ut-san-na-ku-la-dhar-maa-naam
- ma–nuṣ–yā–ṇāṃ ja–nār–da–na | 8 syllables ma-nush-yaa-naam ja-naar-da-na
- na–ra–ke ni–ya–taṃ vā–so 8 syllables na-ra-ke ni-ya-tam vaa-so
- bha–va–tīt–ya–nu–śuś–ru–ma || 1-44 8 syllables bha-va-teet-ya-nu-shush-ru-ma
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 44
Context
Arjuna completes his argument about the social and spiritual consequences of war (1.40–1.44).
Meaning
Arjuna’s source is hearsay: “we have heard.” He appeals to tradition he has been told rather than to his own understanding. The verse ends the long chain of consequences that began with the destruction of the family.
Much of what we fear is built on what we have heard. The Gita will move Arjuna from hearsay to direct understanding. Krishna’s teaching begins in Chapter 2 with what can be known about the Self, not with what one has heard about the afterlife. Fear based on report must be replaced by knowledge based on insight.
In Practice
Identify one belief that shapes your fears but that you have only heard about. Look into it for yourself before letting it decide anything.
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.