Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 32

English Translation

1.34 O Govinda! What need do we have of a kingdom, or what (need) of enjoyments and livelihood? Those for whom kingdom, enjoyments and pleasures ae desired by us, viz teachers, uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law as also relatives-those very ones stand arrayed for battle risking their lives and wealth.

Detailed Commentary

Commentary on 1.32: The verse states: 'na kāṅkṣe vijayaṁ kṛṣṇa na ca rājyaṁ sukhāni ca' (I desire neither victory, Krishna, nor kingdom, nor pleasures). Let us assume that we achieve victory in this war, and our dominion would extend over the entire Earth. Attaining such a kingdom would bring us various kinds of pleasures. But I desire none of these; meaning, my mind holds no longing for victory, kingdom, or pleasures. The verse continues: 'kiṁ no rājyena govinda kiṁ bhogair jīvitena vā' (Of what use is a kingdom to us, Govinda, or enjoyments, or even life?). When the mind harbors no desire for victory, kingdom, or pleasures, then what benefit is there in attaining a vast kingdom? What good would beautiful enjoyments (bhoga) bring? Or what benefit is there in living for many years after slaying our own kinsmen (kuṭumbī)? The purport is that these can only provide happiness if there is a longing for them in the mind. But in our minds, there is no such longing. Therefore, what happiness can these bestow upon us? There is no desire to live after killing these kinsmen, because when the kinsmen are dead, for whom will the kingdom and enjoyments be useful? Kingdom and enjoyments are meant for the family (kuṭumba), but when they are no more, who will partake of them? On the contrary, we will only experience anxiety and sorrow! Context: The reason why Arjuna does not desire victory and the like is explained in the following verse.