Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 1 · Arjuna Vishada Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 1.35 एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन
श्लोक 1.35
एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन ।
अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते ॥
etānna hantumicchāmi ghnato'pi madhusūdana |
api trailokyarājyasya hetoḥ kiṃ nu mahīkṛte ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे मधुसूदन, चाहे ये मुझे मार डालें, फिर भी मैं इन्हें मारना नहीं चाहता। तीनों लोकों के राज्य के लिए भी नहीं, फिर इस पृथ्वी के लिए तो कहना ही क्या।
Meaning in English
O Madhusudana (Krishna, slayer of the demon Madhu), I do not wish to kill them even if they kill me, not even for rule over the three worlds, let alone for this earth.
Bhagavad Gita 1.35 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| एतान् | etān | these |
| न | na | not |
| हन्तुम् | hantum | to kill |
| इच्छामि | icchāmi | I wish |
| घ्नतः | ghnataḥ | even though killing (me) |
| अपि | api | even |
| मधुसूदन | madhusūdana | O Madhusudana |
| अपि | api | even |
| त्रैलोक्य-राज्यस्य | trailokya-rājyasya | of rule over the three worlds |
| हेतोः | hetoḥ | for the sake |
| किम् नु | kim nu | how much less |
| मही-कृते | mahī-kṛte | for the sake of the earth |
Explanation
I do not wish to kill them, Madhusudana, even if they kill me; not even for rule over the three worlds, so how much less for this earth.
Arjuna's refusal is now total. He would rather die than fight, and no prize, not even all three worlds, would change his mind. Krishna is called Madhusudana, slayer of the demon Madhu; some commentators see an implied contrast: Krishna killed demons, but these are not demons, they are family. Krishna's answer will show that the question is not what Arjuna wants but what his duty truly is.
भावार्थ
हे मधुसूदन, ये मुझे मार भी डालें तो भी मैं इन्हें मारना नहीं चाहता — तीनों लोकों के राज्य के लिए भी नहीं, फिर इस पृथ्वी के लिए तो कहना ही क्या।
Living it today
Strong refusals can come from conscience or from pain. Both deserve a hearing, and both deserve careful examination.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 1.35?
I do not wish to kill them, Madhusudana, even if they kill me; not even for rule over the three worlds, so how much less for this earth.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 1.35?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 1 (Arjuna Vishada Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 1.35 in daily life?
Strong refusals can come from conscience or from pain. Both deserve a hearing, and both deserve careful examination.
Reflected on verse 1.35?
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