Srimad Bhagavad Gita Shloka 1.45

Shloka 1.45

“Alas, we are resolved to commit great sin by killing our kinsmen for the greed of a kingdom.”

Key Teaching: Arjuna laments the sin of killing kin for material gain.

Theme: Vishada, Dharma, Ethics.

500-Word Description:
Arjuna laments that he and the Pandavas are about to commit great sin by killing kinsmen like Bhishma and Drona for the greed of a kingdom. This verse, continuing 1.41–44, intensifies his moral crisis, equating fighting with sinful greed, similar to the Kauravas’ motives (1.37–38). The themes of vishada, as despair overwhelms him, dharma, as he questions righteous action, and ethics, as he condemns the war’s morality, are central.

In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas fight for their rightful kingdom, but Arjuna sees this as akin to greed, given the cost of kin’s lives (1.26–27). His lament contrasts with Duryodhana’s ambition (1.3–11), highlighting his ethical sensitivity. Krishna’s presence foreshadows guidance to resolve this conflict (2.31).

Philosophically, this verse reflects the human struggle to avoid actions perceived as sinful, a theme Krishna addresses with teachings on detachment (2.47). Arjuna’s equating fighting with greed complicates his Kshatriya dharma, intensifying his despair. The theme of ethics underscores his moral objections to the war.

Sanjaya’s narration frames Arjuna’s lament objectively, emphasizing its ethical weight. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s moral dilemmas, where actions conflict with values. Arjuna’s condemnation of sin prepares readers for Krishna’s teachings on righteous action without attachment.