Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 1 · Arjuna Vishada Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 1.31 निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव
श्लोक 1.31
निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव ।
न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे ॥
nimittāni ca paśyāmi viparītāni keśava |
na ca śreyo'nupaśyāmi hatvā svajanamāhave ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे केशव, मुझे अशुभ लक्षण दिखाई दे रहे हैं। युद्ध में अपने ही लोगों को मारकर मुझे कोई कल्याण नहीं दिखता।
Meaning in English
O Keshava (Krishna), I see evil omens, and I see no good in killing my own people in battle.
Bhagavad Gita 1.31 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| निमित्तानि | nimittāni | omens, signs |
| च | ca | and |
| पश्यामि | paśyāmi | I see |
| विपरीतानि | viparītāni | adverse, contrary |
| केशव | keśava | O Keshava (Krishna) |
| न च | na ca | nor |
| श्रेयः | śreyaḥ | good |
| अनुपश्यामि | anupaśyāmi | do I foresee |
| हत्वा | hatvā | by killing |
| स्वजनम् | svajanam | my own people |
| आहवे | āhave | in battle |
Explanation
I see evil omens, Keshava, and I can see no good in killing my own people in battle.
Arjuna now begins to reason. The phrase nimittāni viparītāni can mean ill omens, but it can also mean that the reasons for fighting seem turned upside down. The word śreyas, the highest good, is important: it returns in 2.7 when Arjuna asks Krishna to tell him what is truly śreyas for him. Here he cannot see it; the rest of the Gita is about learning to.
भावार्थ
हे केशव, मुझे अपशकुन दिखाई दे रहे हैं, और युद्ध में अपने ही स्वजनों को मारकर मुझे कोई कल्याण नहीं दिखता।
Living it today
When we are upset, everything looks like a bad sign. Separate what you feel from what you actually know.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 1.31?
I see evil omens, Keshava, and I can see no good in killing my own people in battle.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 1.31?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 1 (Arjuna Vishada Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 1.31 in daily life?
When we are upset, everything looks like a bad sign. Separate what you feel from what you actually know.
Reflected on verse 1.31?
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