Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 2.5 गुरूनहत्वा हि महानुभावान्
श्लोक 2.5
गुरूनहत्वा हि महानुभावान्
श्रेयो भोक्तुं भैक्ष्यमपीह लोके ।
हत्वार्थकामांस्तु गुरूनिहैव
भुञ्जीय भोगान् रुधिरप्रदिग्धान् ॥
gurūnahatvā hi mahānubhāvān
śreyo bhoktuṃ bhaikṣyamapīha loke |
hatvārthakāmāṃstu gurūnihaiva
bhuñjīya bhogān rudhirapradigdhān ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
इन महान गुरुजनों को मारने से तो इस संसार में भिक्षा माँगकर जीना भी अच्छा है। अर्थ की कामना वाले इन गुरुओं को मारकर मैं यहाँ खून से सने भोग ही भोगूँगा।
Meaning in English
It would be better to live in this world even by begging than to kill these noble elders. By killing my teachers, even if they seek wealth, I would only enjoy pleasures stained with blood.
Bhagavad Gita 2.5 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| गुरून् अहत्वा | gurūn ahatvā | not killing the elders |
| हि महा-अनुभावान् | hi mahā-anubhāvān | the noble ones |
| श्रेयः भोक्तुम् | śreyaḥ bhoktum | better to eat |
| भैक्ष्यम् अपि | bhaikṣyam api | even by begging |
| इह लोके | iha loke | in this world |
| हत्वा | hatvā | having killed |
| अर्थ-कामान् | artha-kāmān | desirous of gain |
| भुञ्जीय | bhuñjīya | I would enjoy |
| रुधिर-प्रदिग्धान् | rudhira-pradigdhān | stained with blood |
Explanation
It is better to live in this world even by begging than to kill these noble elders. If I kill them, though they seek gain, all my enjoyments here would be stained with their blood.
Arjuna argues that renunciation — even a beggar's life — would be better than victory at such a cost. It sounds noble, but Krishna will show it comes from confusion, not wisdom.
भावार्थ
इन महानुभाव गुरुजनों को न मारकर इस संसार में भीख माँगकर खाना भी श्रेष्ठ है; क्योंकि इन्हें मारकर मैं जो भोग भोगूँगा, वे रक्त से सने होंगे।
Living it today
Check whether a "noble" reason for avoiding a duty is really fear in disguise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 2.5?
It is better to live in this world even by begging than to kill these noble elders. If I kill them, though they seek gain, all my enjoyments here would be stained with their blood.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 2.5?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 2.5 in daily life?
Check whether a "noble" reason for avoiding a duty is really fear in disguise.
Reflected on verse 2.5?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.