The Gita

Chapter 1 · Verse 44 of 47

The Yoga of Arjuna's Dejection

अर्जुनविषादयोग

Meaning

Arjuna spoke

O Janārdana! We've been told that clans, who let their sacred familial laws be disrupted, languish in infernal realms indefinitely. (1:44)

Sanskrit

अर्जुन उवाच

उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन ।

नरकेऽनियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम ॥

Word-by-word

उत्सन्न-कुल-धर्माणाम् मनुष्याणाम् जनार्दन

नरके अनियतम् वासः भवति इति अनु-शुश्रुम।

Commentary

In the preceding verses (140-144), the views expressed by Arjuna are rooted in the prevalent belief system of that era. These views should not be construed as the views of Bhagawān Krishna or the Bhagavad-Gitā. As we will later observe, the Lord adeptly sets aside many beliefs of Vedic religion and orthodox Hinduism, particularly those concerning Varna, caste, and so forth, in a sophisticated manner.

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