Verse 1.38
Speaker: Arjuna
Sanskrit
कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम् | कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन ||३८||
Transliteration (IAST)
kathaṁ na jñeyamasmābhiḥ pāpādasmānnivartitum | kulakṣayakṛtaṁ doṣaṁ prapaśyadbhirjanārdana ||38||
Word-by-Word Meanings
ज्ञेयम्-should be known
पापात्-from sin
निवर्तितुम्-to turn away
कुलक्षयकृतम्-caused by destruction of family
दोषम्-fault
प्रपश्यद्भिः-by those who can see
Translation
Why should we, who can clearly see the sin in the destruction of families, not know enough to turn away from this evil, O Janardana?
Commentary
Arjuna presents his argument as rational wisdom - those who can foresee consequences should act accordingly. This utilitarian reasoning will be challenged by Krishna's deontological framework of svadharma, where duty is determined by one's nature and station, not by calculated outcomes.
Themes
dharmakarmaduty