Gita : Ch-1. Slo-43.

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita :


Chapter-1. ( Arjuna-vishada-yogam )


Slokam-43. ( Arjuna's arguement continues.. )


Doshair     etaih      kula-ghnanam     varna-sankara-karakaih,


Utsadyante      jati-dharmah     kula-dharmas      ca      sasvatah.



 kula-ghnanam    =    of the destroyer of a family;

varna-sankara-karakaih    =    unwanted children     by the doers; 

 etaih     Doshair    =     all these    by such faults; 

sasvatah       jati-dharmah      =     eternal     community project; 

kula-dharmas    ca   Utsadyante     =     family     tradition    also     causes devastation.


Arjuna narrates ( to Lord Krishna ) about  the results of the war :-



Due to the evil deeds of the destroyers of family tradition, all kinds of community projects and family welfare activities are devastated.


In the previous slokam the effects of the intermixture of castes as described in the Vedic scriptures regarding the ancestors has been determined. Now Arjuna describes the misery experienced for those who are responsible for causing this intermixture of castes beginning with doshair etaih. Due to these evils the essential duties prescribed in the Vedic scriptures for the four castes which are the authorised and proven means leading humanity to the highest good and which are faithfully instructed by holy sages and spiritual masters are all forsaken.


The sinfulness referred to is being concluded in this verse beginning with: From these sins etc. The traditions of the caste or tribe and the family are destroyed, lost, forgotten and disregarded. This also includes the four asrama's or prescribed orders of life being: brahmacarya or celibate student life, grihasta or married house-holder life, vanaprastha or preperation for spiritual life and sannyasi or total renunciation from material life and complete attachment to spiritual life. 


The four orders of human society, combined with family welfare activities as they are set forth by the institution of the sanatana-dharma or varnasrama-dharma, are designed to enable the human being to attain his ultimate salvation. Therefore, the breaking of the sanatana-dharma tradition by irresponsible leaders of society brings about chaos in that society, and consequently people forget the aim of life—Vishnu. Such leaders are called blind, and persons who follow such leaders are sure to be led into chaos.


Now the conclusion of the sins that have been previouly deleniated before are being described. Jati-dharmah refers to the duties of the kshatriyas and others. Kula-dharmas refers to the traditional practices observed by a particular family. Utsadayate means when these are eradicated. The use of the word ca meaning also indicates that asrama-dharma which is the rules of righteousness governing the relationship between brahmana the spiritual order, ksatriya the warrior order, vaisya the mercantile order and sudra the worker class are included here as well. 

To be continued...