Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 31

English Translation

Besides, I do not see any good (to be derived) from killing my own people in battle. O Krsna, I do not hanker after victory, nor even a kingdom nor pleasures.

Detailed Commentary

।।1.31।। Elucidation—"'निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव'—O Keshava! I behold adverse omens." The implication is that the greater the enthusiasm at the inception of any task, the more it contributes to its success. However, if enthusiasm wanes right at the beginning, and one's mind is not resolute, the outcome of the endeavor will not be favorable. With this sentiment, Arjuna states that the symptoms currently manifesting in his body—such as the slackening of limbs, trembling, and his mouth drying up—these personal omens are also inauspicious. Furthermore, the events that have occurred previously, such as meteors falling from the sky, untimely eclipses, earthquakes, animals and birds uttering fearsome cries, the dark mark on the moon appearing to fade, and clouds raining blood—these too are not good. Thus, when I consider both the current and past omens, both sets of signs appear adverse and indicative of misfortune for me. "'न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे'—I also do not perceive any *shreyas* (ultimate good) in slaying my kinsmen in battle." In the outcome of this war, neither the present world (*loka*) nor the afterlife (*paraloka*) appears beneficial for us. One who destroys one's lineage (*kula*) is exceedingly sinful. Therefore, destroying the lineage will only accrue sin (*papa*) for us, leading to the attainment of hell (*naraka*). In this verse, through the two statements 'निमित्तानि पश्यामि' (I see omens) and 'श्रेयः अनुपश्यामि' (I do not perceive *shreyas*), Arjuna wishes to convey that whether I observe the omens or contemplate it myself, in both ways, this war does not appear beneficial for us or for the world. Connection—Arjuna expresses his unwillingness to achieve such an inauspicious victory, one where neither auspicious omens nor *shreyas* are visible, in the subsequent verse.