Bhagavad Gita BG 1.33
Chapter 1, Verse 33 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च । त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ॥ ३३ ॥
yeṣām arthe kāṅkṣitaṃ no rājyaṃ bhogāḥ sukhāni ca ta ime 'vasthitā yuddhe prāṇāṃs tyaktvā dhanāni ca
Meaning
Those for whose sake we desire kingdom, enjoyment, and pleasures — they stand here in battle, having given up life and wealth.
Understanding
Arjuna's argument reaches its logical core: the very people he wanted to enjoy the kingdom with are the ones standing in the opposing army about to die. What purpose does a kingdom serve without those you love? The irony is devastating — the Pandavas fought for thirteen years to reclaim their kingdom for themselves and their family, but their family is now arranged against them. The joy of victory has become impossible to imagine.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| येषामर्थे | yeṣām arthe | for whose sake |
| काङ्क्षितम् | kāṅkṣitam | desired / longed for |
| अवस्थिताः | avasthitāḥ | standing here / arrayed |
| प्राणान् त्यक्त्वा | prāṇān tyaktvā | having given up their lives |
| धनानि | dhanāni | wealth / possessions |
| नः | naḥ | our / for us |
| राज्यम् | rājyam | kingdom |
| भोगाः | bhogāḥ | enjoyments / pleasures |
| च | ca | and (conjunction) |
| ते | te | they / those (people) |
| इमे | ime | these (very people before us) |
| युद्धे | yuddhe | in battle / in this war |