Bhagavad Gita 1.38 — Greed Blinds Them to the Evil of Destroying the Family
यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः ।
कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम् ॥ १.३८ ॥
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Even though these people, whose minds are overpowered by greed, do not see the evil caused by the destruction of the family and the sin in treachery to friends,
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yadi | if |
| api | even |
| ete | these |
| na | not |
| paśhyanti | see |
| lobhopahatachetasaḥ | whose minds are overpowered by greed |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kulakṣhayakṛtam | caused by the destruction of the family |
| doṣham | fault, evil |
| mitradrohe | in treachery to friends |
| cha | and |
| pātakam | sin |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yadi | if | kulakṣhayakṛtam | caused by the destruction of the family |
| api | even | doṣham | fault, evil |
| ete | these | mitradrohe | in treachery to friends |
| na | not | cha | and |
| paśhyanti | see | pātakam | sin |
| lobhopahatachetasaḥ | whose minds are overpowered by greed | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Arjuna now speaks about the other side. Their minds, he says, are overpowered by greed, and so they fail to see the fault in destroying a family or the sin in betraying friends. His words are a mixture of criticism of the Kauravas and a growing awareness of what the war will cost.
Essence
Here Arjuna explains why the Kauravas are willing to fight while he himself hesitates.
A. Yady apy ete na paśyanti lobhopahata-cetasaḥ (even though they do not see, their minds overpowered by greed)
The word lobha means greed, and upahata-cetasaḥ means those whose understanding has been struck down or overpowered. Arjuna is saying that the Kauravas' greed for power has blinded their judgement. This echoes the first verse, where Dhṛtarāṣṭra's attachment to his sons affected his vision. Greed and attachment both cloud the mind.
B. Kula-kṣaya-kṛtaṁ doṣaṁ (the fault caused by the destruction of the family)
The word kula-kṣaya means the destruction of the family or lineage. In Arjuna's world, the family was the main carrier of tradition, religious practice and social stability. To destroy it was to destroy much more than individual lives.
C. Mitra-drohe ca pātakam (and the sin in betraying friends)
The word mitra-droha means treachery to a friend, and pātaka is a serious sin. Arjuna points to the breach of trust that fighting against friends and elders would involve.
D. A hidden irony
Arjuna says the Kauravas are blinded by greed. Yet in verse 45 he will admit that he too has been driven by the desire for royal pleasure. This is a gentle irony that the Gita does not point out directly. It is easy to see greed and attachment in others, but harder to notice them in ourselves.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing Others' Faults First)
It is natural to see the flaws of those we disagree with more clearly than our own. A helpful practice is to ask, when we criticise someone, whether the same tendency might be present in us in some form. This honesty makes our judgement fairer and our relationships healthier.
Here Arjuna explains why the Kauravas are willing to fight while he himself hesitates.
A. Yady apy ete na paśyanti lobhopahata-cetasaḥ (even though they do not see, their minds overpowered by greed)
The word lobha means greed, and upahata-cetasaḥ means those whose understanding has been struck down or overpowered. Arjuna is saying that the Kauravas' greed for power has blinded their judgement. This echoes the first verse, where Dhṛtarāṣṭra's attachment to his sons affected his vision. Greed and attachment both cloud the mind.
B. Kula-kṣaya-kṛtaṁ doṣaṁ (the fault caused by the destruction of the family)
The word kula-kṣaya means the destruction of the family or lineage. In Arjuna's world, the family was the main carrier of tradition, religious practice and social stability. To destroy it was to destroy much more than individual lives.
C. Mitra-drohe ca pātakam (and the sin in betraying friends)
The word mitra-droha means treachery to a friend, and pātaka is a serious sin. Arjuna points to the breach of trust that fighting against friends and elders would involve.
D. A hidden irony
Arjuna says the Kauravas are blinded by greed. Yet in verse 45 he will admit that he too has been driven by the desire for royal pleasure. This is a gentle irony that the Gita does not point out directly. It is easy to see greed and attachment in others, but harder to notice them in ourselves.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing Others' Faults First)
It is natural to see the flaws of those we disagree with more clearly than our own. A helpful practice is to ask, when we criticise someone, whether the same tendency might be present in us in some form. This honesty makes our judgement fairer and our relationships healthier.
Next Topic
Arjuna has said that the Kauravas fail to see the fault because of their greed. In the next verse he turns to himself and his brothers, asking why they, who do see the fault, should not turn away from this sin.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Greed hides consequences.
Clear vision begins with a calm mind.
Betraying trust costs more than it gains.
Family is built slowly and broken quickly.
What we refuse to see still happens.
Do not mirror the blindness of others.
Seeing clearly is a moral act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are 'ete' (these) with minds overpowered by greed?
What does 'lobhopahatachetasaḥ' (minds overpowered by greed) mean?
What is 'kulakṣhayakṛtam doṣham' (the evil caused by destroying the family)?
Does this verse continue into the next?
What does it teach us today?
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