Srimad Bhagavad Gita Shloka 1.44

Shloka 1.44

“O Krishna, we have heard that those who destroy family traditions dwell long in hell.”

Key Teaching: Arjuna fears karmic punishment for destroying family traditions.

Theme: Vishada, Dharma, Consequences.

500-Word Description:
Arjuna tells Krishna that, according to tradition, those who destroy family dharma dwell long in hell, intensifying his fear of the war’s karmic consequences. This verse, building on 1.41–43, underscores his moral objection to fighting, as he prioritizes avoiding spiritual punishment over victory. The themes of vishada, as despair drives his fears, dharma, as he upholds spiritual duty, and consequences, as he fears karmic retribution, are central.

In the Mahabharata, Vedic beliefs held that disrupting family traditions, like rituals for ancestors, incurs hellish punishment. Arjuna’s fear of killing kin like Bhishma and Drona (1.26–27) reflects this, contrasting with Duryodhana’s ambition (1.3–11). Krishna’s presence foreshadows guidance to address this fear (2.2–3).

Philosophically, this verse reflects the human fear of actions leading to spiritual consequences, a theme Krishna refines with teachings on selfless duty (2.47). Arjuna’s concern for hell complicates his Kshatriya dharma, as spiritual fears outweigh his warrior role, deepening his despair. The theme of consequences underscores the war’s karmic stakes.

Sanjaya’s narration captures Arjuna’s fear objectively, framing it within the war’s context. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s challenges, where fear of repercussions hinders action. Arjuna’s concern for hell prepares readers for Krishna’s teachings on acting righteously without attachment to outcomes.