Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 39

English Translation

1.39 O Janardana, although these people, whose hearts have become perverted by greed, do not see the evil arising from destroying the family and sin in hostility towards, friends, yet how can we who clearly see the evil arising from destroying the family remain unaware of (the need of) abstaining from this sin?

Detailed Commentary

**1.39** Explanation: The rising inclination towards wealth, land, dwellings, honor, praise, position, authority, and similar things is called 'lobha' (greed). It is due to this very lobha that the viveka-shakti (power of discernment) of Duryodhana and others has become obscured, preventing them from considering how long the kingdom, for which they are about to commit sin, will last. What will we gain by destroying our kinsmen? What will our condition be once the kingdom is gone? For, joy in union is fleeting, and sorrow in separation is immense. Due to lobha, they see only the kingdom, and the papa (sin) resulting from the destruction of the kula (family) is invisible to them. Where there is war, time, wealth, and power are destroyed. Various anxieties and calamities arise. Discord occurs among friends. For instance, Drupada and Drona were friends, but upon attaining a kingdom, Drupada insulted Drona. Dronacharya took revenge. Thus, they are not seeing the papa that arises from enmity among friends. **A Special Point:** Our work continues even in the absence of things we currently lack. However, the sorrow of absence is far greater after having acquired something and then becoming separated from it. The initial absence was not as distressing as the subsequent separation. Yet, due to lobha, humans strive to acquire them. Even after acquisition, ultimate absence remains. Though effort is made, happiness arises not from the union with objects but from lobha itself. Without lobha, there is no happiness from accumulation or from kinsmen. Worldly happiness always arises from some inherent dosha (defect). Without some dosha, there can be no happiness from the world. Lobha obscures viveka. Even if Duryodhana and others do not perceive these doshas, we certainly should. We are aware of the doshas of kulakshaya (destruction of the family) and mitradroha (treachery towards friends) and the papa that results from them. If friends cause sorrow, it will merely destroy past papa. But if there is treachery (droha), it will lead to consequences for lifetimes and result in patana (downfall). Why should we not consider avoiding this papa? Arjuna's gaze is fixed on the lobha of Duryodhana and others, but it does not turn towards his own moha (delusion/attachment). Therefore, he does not comprehend his dharma (duty). As long as one sees the faults of others, one's own faults remain unseen. Seeing others' faults and harboring pride in one's own goodness is also a dosha. Arjuna sees the faults of Duryodhana and others, but he also has pride in his own goodness, and thus, he lacks awareness of his own dosha. **Connection:** What are the doshas (faults/dangers) of kulakshaya (destruction of the family)? This will be explained in the next five shlokas.