Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 1 · Arjuna Vishada Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 1.41 अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः
श्लोक 1.41
अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः ।
स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः ॥
adharmābhibhavātkṛṣṇa praduṣyanti kulastriyaḥ |
strīṣu duṣṭāsu vārṣṇeya jāyate varṇasaṅkaraḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे कृष्ण, अधर्म बढ़ने पर कुल की स्त्रियाँ पथभ्रष्ट हो जाती हैं, और हे वार्ष्णेय, स्त्रियों के भ्रष्ट होने पर वर्णों में मिलावट (वर्णसंकर) होती है।
Meaning in English
O Krishna, when lawlessness prevails, the women of the family become corrupted, and when women are corrupted, O Varshneya (Krishna, of the Vrishni clan), the social order becomes mixed and confused.
Bhagavad Gita 1.41 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अधर्म-अभिभवात् | adharma-abhibhavāt | when lawlessness prevails |
| कृष्ण | kṛṣṇa | O Krishna |
| प्रदुष्यन्ति | praduṣyanti | become corrupted |
| कुल-स्त्रियः | kula-striyaḥ | the women of the family |
| स्त्रीषु | strīṣu | when the women |
| दुष्टासु | duṣṭāsu | are corrupted |
| वार्ष्णेय | vārṣṇeya | O descendant of Vrishni |
| जायते | jāyate | arises |
| वर्ण-सङ्करः | varṇa-saṅkaraḥ | confusion of the social order |
Explanation
When lawlessness prevails, Krishna, the women of the family are led astray; and when the women are led astray, O Vrishni prince, confusion of the social order (varṇa-saṅkara) follows.
Arjuna continues the chain of consequences he fears from the war. His reasoning reflects the social thinking of his age, in which family lineage, marriage and inherited duties held society together, and a war that killed most men left families unprotected. Readers today often find this verse difficult. It helps to remember that these are Arjuna's arguments in a state Krishna will soon call confused; Krishna does not take them up directly, though he uses the word saṅkara himself in 3.24 for the disorder that follows when the wise stop setting an example.
भावार्थ
हे कृष्ण, अधर्म के बढ़ जाने से कुल की स्त्रियाँ पथभ्रष्ट हो जाती हैं, और हे वार्ष्णेय, ऐसा होने पर वर्णसंकर उत्पन्न होता है — अर्जुन युद्ध के बाद समाज के बिखरने की आशंका जता रहा है।
Living it today
War and breakdown hurt the most vulnerable first. Whatever we decide, we should think about who will bear the cost.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 1.41?
When lawlessness prevails, Krishna, the women of the family are led astray; and when the women are led astray, O Vrishni prince, confusion of the social order (varṇa-saṅkara) follows.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 1.41?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 1 (Arjuna Vishada Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 1.41 in daily life?
War and breakdown hurt the most vulnerable first. Whatever we decide, we should think about who will bear the cost.
Reflected on verse 1.41?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.