The Gita

Chapter 1 · Verse 41 of 47

The Yoga of Arjuna's Dejection

अर्जुनविषादयोग

Meaning

Arjuna spoke

O Krishna! As corruption seeps in, the womenfolk may be led astray, resulting in offspring of ambiguous heritage (varna-samkara). (1:41)

Sanskrit

अर्जुन उवाच

अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः ।

स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः॥

Word-by-word

अधर्म अभि-भवात्, कृष्ण प्र-दुष्यन्ति कुल-स्त्रियः

स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्ण-सङ्करः।

Commentary

Varna-samkara" typically refers to "an individual born of parents from two different Varnas." This was generally not viewed favorably in Hindu society during that era.

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