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ශ්රීමද්භගවද්ගීතා 1.40 — කුලක්ෂයේ ප්රණශ්යන්ති

Bhagavad Gita 1.40 — Kula-kshaye Pranashyanti in Sinhala · සිංහල

🕉️ 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 / देवनागरीతెలుగుதமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡമലയാളംગુજરાતીবাংলাଓଡ଼ିଆਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

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.

The Mantra

Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited

කුලක්ෂයේ ප්රණශ්යන්ති කුලධර්මාඃ සනාතනාඃ. ධර්මේ නෂ්ටේ කුලං කෘත්ස්නමධර්මෝ(අ)භිභවත්යුත..

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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කුලක්ෂයේ🔊kula-kṣhayein the destruction of a family or dynasty
ප්රණශ්යන්ති🔊praṇaśhyantiperish; are destroyed
කුලධර්මාඃ🔊kula-dharmāḥthe traditions and duties of the family
සනාතනාඃ🔊sanātanāḥeternal; age-old
ධර්මේ නෂ්ටේ🔊dharme naṣhṭewhen dharma is destroyed
කුලම්🔊kulamthe family
කෘත්ස්නම්🔊kṛitsnamthe whole; entire
අධර්මඃ🔊adharmaḥunrighteousness; irreligion
අභිභවති🔊abhibhavatiovercomes; overwhelms
උත🔊utaindeed; verily

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 1.40 — Kula-kshaye Pranashyanti

✦

Highlights the value of family traditions and dharma in society

✦

Prompts reflection on the far-reaching consequences of our actions

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

✦

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 Sinhala 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.

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