utsanna-kula-dharmāṇāṁ manuṣhyāṇāṁ janārdana
narake ‘niyataṁ vāso bhavatītyanuśhuśhruma
utsanna — destroyed;
kula-dharmāṇām — whose family traditions;
manuṣhyāṇām — of such human beings;
janārdana — he who looks after the public, Shree Krishna;
narake — in hell;
aniyatam — indefinite;
vāsaḥ — dwell;
bhavati — is;
iti — thus;
anuśhuśhruma — I have heard from the learned
In this verse, Arjuna expresses deep concern about the actions he and others are about to take. He is troubled by the fact that they are planning to commit serious wrongdoings, like killing their own family members, all for the sake of gaining power, wealth, and enjoyment.
To break it down further, Arjuna points out that sometimes, when people are driven by selfish desires, they might justify actions that go against their moral values. They might think that achieving their goals, like becoming a king or having riches, is worth doing whatever it takes, even if it means harming their own loved ones. This desire for power can lead people to make choices that are not just harmful to others, but also sinful.
Arjuna's perspective here is that he knows deep down what's right and wrong. Even though others may be blinded by greed, he is aware of the consequences of their actions. He understands that killing relatives and friends for a throne will only lead to more suffering and chaos, and not true happiness. He believes that these actions will destroy not only individuals but entire families and traditions. When family traditions get destroyed, it can lead to a breakdown of society, with many negative consequences, from chaos to loss of respect for family and elders.
Arjuna's ability to recognize these moral principles shows that he is a person of integrity and conscience. Unlike others who might be tempted to overlook the consequences of their actions in pursuit of temporary pleasures or status, he is striving to uphold his values, showing the importance of morality over ambition.
In everyday life, this teaches us the significance of thinking through our actions, especially when we face choices that could hurt others, even if those actions seem to offer us personal gain. It reminds us that true happiness does not come from power or riches, but from acting righteously and maintaining our relationships with family and friends.