Gita : Ch-1. Slo-40.

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita :


Chapter-1 ( Arjuna-vishadha-yogam )


Slokam-40. ( With the destruction of dynasty, the eternal family tradition is vanquished, and thus the rest of the family becomes involved in irreligious practice.)


kulakshaye   pranasyanti   kuladharmah   sanatanah,


dharme   nashte   kulam   krtsnam    adharmoabhibhavatyuta.


kulakshaye   =   in   then   decay   of   dynasity;

sanatanah   kuladharmah   =   the   eternal   traditions   of  the   dynasity;

pranasyanti    =   will   soon   destroyed/decayed;

dharma    nashte   =   if   dharma   is   lost;

krtsnam    kulam   =   the   whole   dynasity;

adharmah   abhibhavati    uta   =   It   is  certain   will   be  affected   by   adharma.



Now the evil consequences of war are described in detail with this verse beginning kula-ksaye pranasyanti. The compound word kula-dharmah meaning the righteous family traditions prescribed in Vedic rites such as the fire ceremony agnihotra and others of this nature due to the destruction of the dynasty causes a lack of qualified family members knowledgeable enough to have them performed. When dharma or righteousness is absent then adharma unrighteousness appears apprehending the remaining dependants along with the whole family destroying the foundations of society.


Some may ponder just what sin is Arjuna describing and this is now revealed in this verse. In a dynasty it is the father that is the foundation of the family. He insures that the tradition of the members is maintained as well being the support of all the members. In times of war it is the father who goes to fight and sometimes the older sons who are the fathers of the future also go to war. If they are slain in battle it is understood that the family is effectively destroyed and righteousness along with the age- old family customs and Vedic traditions eventually cease to exist. The women and children not being properly protected, having lost the shelter of the father are thus overcome by the realities of basic survival and become victims of unrighteousness. 


When the spiritual traditions and spiritual values are destroyed in society, unrighteousness predominates and the surviving family members become degraded.


In the system of the varnasrama institution there are many principles of religious traditions to help members of the family grow properly and attain spiritual values. The elder members are responsible for such purifying processes in the family, beginning from birth to death. But on the death of the elder members, such family traditions of purification may stop, and the remaining younger family members may develop irreligious habits and thereby lose their chance for spiritual salvation. Therefore, for no purpose should the elder members of the family be slain.


To be continued ...