Bhagavad Gita BG 1.41
Chapter 1, Verse 41 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः । स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः ॥ ४१ ॥
adharmābhibhavāt kṛṣṇa praduṣyanti kula-striyaḥ strīṣu duṣṭāsu vārṣṇeya jāyate varṇa-saṅkaraḥ
Meaning
O Krishna, when irreligion prevails, the women of the family become corrupted; O Varshneya, when women are corrupted, unwanted progeny is born.
Understanding
Arjuna continues his chain of consequences. The verse reflects the social structure of ancient India where family lineage and caste purity were maintained through strict customs. When social order breaks down (adharma prevails), family structures suffer. Krishna is addressed as 'Varshneya' (descendant of Vrishni clan), placing him within the very social structures Arjuna is concerned about protecting.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अधर्माभिभवात् | adharmābhibhavāt | from the prevalence of irreligion |
| प्रदुष्यन्ति | praduṣyanti | become corrupted / degraded |
| कुलस्त्रियः | kula-striyaḥ | the women of the family |
| वार्ष्णेय | vārṣṇeya | O Varshneya — Krishna (descendant of Vrishni clan) |
| वर्णसङ्करः | varṇa-saṅkaraḥ | unwanted progeny / mixture of social orders |
| कृष्ण | kṛṣṇa | O Krishna |
| स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु | strīṣu duṣṭāsu | when women become corrupted / degraded |
| जायते | jāyate | is born / arises |