Bhagavad Gita BG 1.44
Chapter 1, Verse 44 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन । नरके नियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम ॥ ४४ ॥
utsanna-kula-dharmāṇāṃ manuṣyāṇāṃ janārdana nirake niyataṃ vāso bhavatīty anuśuśruma
Meaning
O Janardana, we have heard from the scriptures that those whose family traditions are destroyed must dwell in hell for certain.
Understanding
Arjuna now appeals to scriptural authority — 'anuśuśruma' (we have heard, meaning from tradition and scripture). Those whose kula-dharmas are destroyed are destined for hell (naraka). This is significant: Arjuna is not making up his arguments; he is drawing on the religious and cultural knowledge he has absorbed. This gives his grief an intellectual dimension beyond mere emotion. However, his application of this knowledge is incomplete — which is why he needs Krishna's teaching.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| उत्सन्न | utsanna | destroyed / collapsed / fallen |
| कुलधर्माणाम् | kula-dharmāṇām | of those whose family traditions are destroyed |
| नरके | narake | in hell |
| नियतम् | niyatam | certainly / for certain |
| अनुशुश्रुम | anuśuśruma | we have heard (from tradition / scripture) |
| मनुष्याणाम् | manuṣyāṇām | of men / of human beings |
| वासः | vāsaḥ | dwelling / residence / abode |
| भवति | bhavati | becomes / is (certain) |
| इति | iti | thus / so (marks traditional authority) |