Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 36

English Translation

O Janardana, what happiness shall we derive by killing the sons of Dhrtarastra? Sin alone will accrue to us by killing these felons.

Detailed Commentary

Explanation (1.36): 'By killing the Dhārtarāṣṭras... by killing these Ātatāyī (aggressors)'—Will we find joy in victory after slaying the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and their other warriors? Even if we were to kill them in anger or greed, we would later be filled with remorse. When the memory of our family members arises, their absence will deeply pain us, and their grief will torment our hearts. How can we ever attain happiness in such a state? The implication is that by killing them, our minds will know no happiness for as long as we live, and the sin we incur from such an act will inflict terrible suffering upon us in the afterlife (paraloka). An Ātatāyī is of six kinds: one who sets fire, one who administers poison, one who stands ready to strike with a weapon, one who steals wealth, one who seizes land (kingdom), and one who abducts a woman. Duryodhana and others exhibited all these six characteristics. They attempted to kill the Pāṇḍavas by setting fire to the lac-house (Lākṣāgṛha). They poisoned Bhīmasena and threw him into the water. They stood ready with weapons to kill the Pāṇḍavas. Through deceit and trickery in the game of dice (Dyūtakrīḍā), they seized the wealth and kingdom of the Pāṇḍavas. They insulted Draupadī in a full assembly, and at Duryodhana's instigation, Jayadratha abducted Draupadī. According to the Śāstras, there is no fault in slaying an Ātatāyī: 'There is no fault for the killer in slaying an Ātatāyī' (Manusmṛti 8.351). However, even though killing an Ātatāyī may be justified, this act does not feel righteous. The Śāstras also proclaim that one should not harm any being: 'Do not harm any living creature (sarvā bhūtāni).' Non-violence is the supreme dharma: 'Ahiṁsā paramo dharmaḥ.' Therefore, why should we commit violence against our own relatives out of anger and greed? Being Ātatāyī, these individuals are indeed deserving of death, but being our own kinsmen (kuṭumbī), killing them will only incur sin. For the Śāstras state that one who destroys his own lineage (kula) is an exceedingly great sinner: 'He indeed is the greatest sinner who brings about the destruction of his lineage (kulanāśanam).' So, how can one kill Ātatāyī kinsmen? It is acceptable to sever ties and separate from them, but to kill them is not right. For example, if one's own son becomes an Ātatāyī, ties can be broken, but he cannot be killed. Context: After describing the dire consequences of war in the previous verse, Arjuna now presents his reasons for not fighting.