Bhagavad Gita BG 1.38
Chapter 1, Verse 38 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः । कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम् ॥ ३८ ॥
yady apy ete na paśyanti lobhopahata-cetasaḥ kula-kṣaya-kṛtaṃ doṣaṃ mitra-drohe ca pātakam
Meaning
Even if these men, whose minds are blinded by greed, do not see the wrong in destroying the family or the sin in betraying friends —
Understanding
Arjuna now distinguishes himself from the Kauravas: their minds are 'blinded by greed' (lobhopahata-cetasaḥ) so they cannot see the wrong (doṣa) in destroying the family or the sin (pātaka) in betraying friends. He implies that he can see what they cannot — and therefore the responsibility to refrain from sin falls more heavily on his side. This is a sophisticated moral argument, though it will be superseded by Krishna's teaching.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| लोभोपहतचेतसः | lobhopahata-cetasaḥ | those whose minds are blinded / seized by greed |
| कुलक्षयकृतम् | kula-kṣaya-kṛtam | caused by the destruction of the family |
| दोषम् | doṣam | fault / wrong / evil |
| मित्रद्रोहे | mitra-drohe | in betraying friends |
| पातकम् | pātakam | sin / transgression |
| यद्यपि | yady api | even if / although |
| एते | ete | these (men / opponents) |
| न पश्यन्ति | na paśyanti | do not see / are blind to |