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Bhagavad Gita 1.40 — Kula-kshaye Pranashyanti

Bhagavad Gita 1.40 — Kula-kshaye Pranashyanti in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 1× repetitions·🕐 During study of the first chapter of the Gita, in reflective contemplation·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 40

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Arguing against the war, Arjuna voices his fear of its social and moral consequences. In this verse he reasons that the destruction of the family leads to the loss of its eternal traditions and dharma, and that when dharma declines, unrighteousness overtakes the whole lineage. It reflects Arjuna's anguished reasoning about the wider ruin he believes the battle will cause — concerns Krishna will later answer with a higher vision of duty.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 40 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the first chapter, Arjuna Vishada Yoga, Arjuna marshals a series of arguments against the war. Here he laments that the destruction of the family will cause its eternal dharma to perish, and that the loss of dharma invites unrighteousness upon the whole lineage — reasoning that flows from his grief and sets the stage for Krishna's higher teaching.

✦ As told in scripture

Commentators note that although Arjuna's concern for family dharma was heartfelt, it was the Lord's teaching that revealed the deeper truth — that true dharma is upheld by acting from wisdom and detachment, and that the soul's welfare transcends even the noblest worldly tradition.

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The Mantra

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kula-kṣhaye praṇaśhyanti kula-dharmāḥ sanātanāḥ dharme naṣhṭe kulaṁ kṛitsnam adharmo ’bhibhavaty uta

Meaning:When a family is destroyed, its eternal traditions and duties (kula-dharma) perish; and when dharma is destroyed, unrighteousness indeed overwhelms the entire family.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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kula-kṣhaye🔊in the destruction of a family or dynasty

praṇaśhyanti🔊perish; are destroyed

kula-dharmāḥ🔊the traditions and duties of the family

sanātanāḥ🔊eternal; age-old

dharme naṣhṭe🔊when dharma is destroyed

kulam🔊the family

kṛitsnam🔊the whole; entire

adharmaḥ🔊unrighteousness; irreligion

abhibhavati🔊overcomes; overwhelms

uta🔊indeed; verily

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 1.40 — Kula-kshaye Pranashyanti

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Highlights the value of family traditions and dharma in society

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Prompts reflection on the far-reaching consequences of our actions

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Reveals Arjuna's deep concern for righteousness, not mere cowardice

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Sets up the contrast for Krishna's higher teaching on true duty

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Encourages contemplation on preserving dharma across generations

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Deepens understanding of the moral dimension of Arjuna's dilemma

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 1.40 — Kula-kshaye Pranashyanti

Repetitions1times

Best TimeDuring study of the first chapter of the Gita, in reflective contemplation

Recite this verse while studying Chapter 1, following Arjuna's reasoning about the collapse of family dharma. Reflect on the importance of righteous traditions and the consequences when they are lost. Hold these concerns in mind as you move into Krishna's response in the later chapters, where He reframes the question of duty from a higher, spiritual standpoint.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Bhagavad Gita 1.40 — Kula-kshaye Pranashyanti written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

Arjuna argues that the destruction of a family in war leads to the loss of its eternal traditions and dharma, and that when dharma is lost, unrighteousness overwhelms the entire family. It is part of his case against fighting the war.

'Kula-dharma' means the duties, customs and righteous traditions of a family or lineage, passed down through generations. Arjuna fears that the deaths of the family's elders and warriors will cause these eternal traditions to be lost.

While Arjuna's concern for dharma is sincere, Krishna later shows that his reasoning is clouded by grief and attachment. The Lord reframes the issue, teaching that fighting a righteous war as one's duty, without attachment, actually upholds dharma rather than destroying it.