Bhagavad Gita · Arjuna Vishada Yoga — The Yoga of Arjuna's Dilemma

Chapter 1, Verse 40

"Bhagavad Gita 1.40" — meaning and explanation.

कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः | धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत

kulakṣaye praṇaśyanti kuladharmāḥ sanātanāḥ . dharme naṣṭe kulaṃ kṛtsnamadharmo.abhibhavatyuta

Meaning

1.40. In the destruction of a family, the immemorial religious rites of that family perish; on the destruction of spirituality, impiety, indeed, overcomes the whole family.

।।1.40।।कुल के नष्ट होने से सनातन धर्म नष्ट हो जाते हैं। धर्म नष्ट होने पर सम्पूर्ण कुल को अधर्म (पाप) दबा लेता है।

Explanation

1.40 कुलक्षये in the destruction of a family? प्रणश्यन्ति perish? कुलधर्माः family religious rites? सनातनाः immemorial? धर्मे spirituality? नष्टे being destroyed? कुलम् कृत्स्नम् the whole family? अधर्मः impiety? अभिभवति overcomes? उत indeed.Commentary Dharma -- the duties and ceremonies practised by the family in accordance with the injunctions of the scriptures.

Life Lesson

Study Bhagavad Gita 1.40 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.

Context

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, verse 40, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.

Bhagavad Gita 1.40

This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bhagavad Gita 1.40 mean?

1.40. In the destruction of a family, the immemorial religious rites of that family perish; on the destruction of spirituality, impiety, indeed, overcomes the whole family.

What is the life lesson of this verse?

Study Bhagavad Gita 1.40 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.

What is the context of this verse?

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, verse 40, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.