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Bhagavad Gita 1.46 — Yadi Mam Apratikaram

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १.४६ — यदि मामप्रतीकारम्

🕉️ hindu·📿 1× repetitions·🕐 During study of the first chapter of the Gita, in reflective contemplation·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 46

Also known as: yadi mam apratikaram · tan me kshemataram bhavet · bhagavad gita 1.46 · gita 1 46 · arjuna would rather die unarmed · dhartarashtra rane hanyuh

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

In the final verse of his lament, Arjuna reaches the depth of his despondency. He declares that it would be better for him to be killed, unarmed and unresisting, by the armed sons of Dhritarashtra than to fight and slay his own kinsmen. This extreme statement reveals how completely grief and attachment have overwhelmed him — the moment of utter surrender of will just before he casts down his bow.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 46 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the first chapter, Arjuna Vishada Yoga, Arjuna concludes his outpouring of grief by declaring that he would rather be slain unresisting than fight his own kinsmen. This is the final verse of his lament, narrated by Sanjaya, just before Arjuna casts aside his bow and Krishna's teaching begins.

✦ As told in scripture

Commentators note that the very depth of Arjuna's surrender of will — preferring death to harming his own — emptied him of pride and prepared him to receive, with an open heart, the supreme wisdom the Lord was about to bestow.

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The Mantra

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यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः। धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत्॥

yadi mām apratīkāram aśhastraṁ śhastra-pāṇayaḥ dhārtarāṣhṭrā raṇe hanyus tan me kṣhemataraṁ bhavet

Meaning:If the sons of Dhritarashtra, weapons in hand, should slay me in battle while I am unarmed and unresisting, that would be better for me.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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यदि🔊yadiif

माम्🔊māmme

अप्रतीकारम्🔊apratīkāramunresisting; not counter-attacking

अशस्त्रम्🔊aśhastramunarmed; without weapons

शस्त्रपाणयः🔊śhastra-pāṇayaḥthose with weapons in hand

धार्तराष्ट्राः🔊dhārtarāṣhṭrāḥthe sons of Dhritarashtra

रणे🔊raṇeon the battlefield

हन्युः🔊hanyuḥshould slay

तत्🔊tatthat

मे🔊meto me

क्षेमतरम्🔊kṣhema-tarambetter; more beneficial

भवेत्🔊bhavetwould be

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 1.46 — Yadi Mam Apratikaram

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Marks the culmination of Arjuna's despondency before Krishna's teaching

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Reveals the depth of his aversion to harming his own kin

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Reminds the seeker how overwhelming grief can cloud judgment

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Sets up the dramatic moment when Arjuna lays down his bow

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Encourages compassion for those overcome by sorrow and confusion

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Prepares the heart for the liberating wisdom that follows in Chapter 2

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 1.46 — Yadi Mam Apratikaram

Repetitions1times

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

Recite this verse to feel the full weight of Arjuna's despair at the close of his lament. As you chant, recognise how attachment and sorrow can lead even a great hero to renounce his duty entirely. Let this depth of despondency prepare you for the turning point — Arjuna casting down his bow in 1.47 and Krishna beginning His teaching in Chapter 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arjuna says it would be better for him to be killed, unarmed and unresisting, by the armed sons of Dhritarashtra than to fight and kill his own kinsmen. It is the lowest point of his despondency in the first chapter.

It marks the climax of Arjuna's grief and his complete unwillingness to fight. Immediately after this, in verse 1.47, he casts down his bow and sits in sorrow, setting the stage for Krishna to begin His teaching in the second chapter.

No. Arjuna's wish springs from grief and attachment, not wisdom. Krishna gently shows that abandoning one's righteous duty out of sorrow is not the path. The Gita teaches one to rise above despair and act with detachment and devotion instead.