Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 1 · Arjuna Vishada Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 1.42 सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च
श्लोक 1.42
सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च ।
पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः ॥
saṅkaro narakāyaiva kulaghnānāṃ kulasya ca |
patanti pitaro hyeṣāṃ luptapiṇḍodakakriyāḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
यह वर्णसंकर कुल का नाश करने वालों को और पूरे कुल को नरक में ले जाता है। पिण्ड और जल की क्रिया बन्द हो जाने से उनके पितर भी गिर जाते हैं।
Meaning in English
This confusion leads to hell, both for those who destroy the family and for the family itself. Their ancestors fall too, deprived of the offerings of rice-balls and water.
Bhagavad Gita 1.42 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सङ्करः | saṅkaraḥ | such confusion |
| नरकाय | narakāya | leads to hell |
| एव | eva | indeed |
| कुल-घ्नानाम् | kula-ghnānām | for the destroyers of the family |
| कुलस्य | kulasya | for the family |
| च | ca | and |
| पतन्ति | patanti | fall |
| पितरः | pitaraḥ | ancestors |
| हि | hi | indeed |
| एषाम् | eṣām | their |
| लुप्त-पिण्ड-उदक-क्रियाः | lupta-piṇḍa-udaka-kriyāḥ | deprived of the offerings of rice-balls and water |
Explanation
This confusion brings the family and those who destroyed it to hell; and their ancestors fall too, deprived of the offerings of rice-balls and water.
Arjuna refers to shraddha, the rites in which descendants offer piṇḍa (rice-balls) and water to departed ancestors. In traditional belief these offerings sustain the ancestors, so a broken family line means the ancestors are left without support. His fear therefore stretches across generations, past and future. The verse shows how deeply family duty was woven into religious life.
भावार्थ
यह संकरता कुल-घातियों और पूरे कुल को नरक में ले जाती है, क्योंकि पिण्ड और जल-तर्पण की क्रिया लुप्त हो जाने से उनके पितर भी गिर जाते हैं।
Living it today
Our choices affect those before and after us. Remembering ancestors and descendants widens our sense of responsibility.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 1.42?
This confusion brings the family and those who destroyed it to hell; and their ancestors fall too, deprived of the offerings of rice-balls and water.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 1.42?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 1 (Arjuna Vishada Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 1.42 in daily life?
Our choices affect those before and after us. Remembering ancestors and descendants widens our sense of responsibility.
Reflected on verse 1.42?
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