Verse : 38
Yadyapyete na paśyanti lobhopahata-cetasah
Kula-kṣaya-kṛtaṁ doṣaṁ mitra-drohe ca pāpakam ||38||
Word Meaning:
- Yadi api — Even if / although
- Ete — These people (the sons of Dhritarashtra)
- Na paśyanti — Do not see / fail to understand
- Lobha-upahata-cetasah — Minds overpowered by greed
- Kula-kṣaya-kṛtam — Caused by the destruction of the family
- Doṣam — The fault / evil consequence
- Mitra-drohe — In betraying friends or relatives
- Ca — And
- Pāpakam — Sin / great evil
Although these men, whose minds are overpowered by greed, do not perceive the sin in destroying their family or betraying friends, why should we not understand this and refrain from such actions?
Expanded Meaning:
Arjuna continues to build his case for not engaging in battle. He draws a moral contrast between himself (and the Pandavas) and the Kauravas. He implies that, even though the Kauravas are blinded by greed and fail to see the grave consequences of destroying their own kin and betraying those who trust them, the Pandavas should not fall to that level.
This verse is Arjuna’s appeal to higher ethics, positioning himself and his side as morally superior.
Contextual Analysis:
1. “Yadyapyete na paśyanti…” — The Moral Blindness of the Kauravas
- Arjuna accuses the Kauravas of being morally blind, of not seeing the disastrous consequences of the war.
- Their conscience is clouded by greed (lobha), making them insensitive to the values of family, tradition, and friendship.
This line is filled with both criticism and compassion — Arjuna doesn’t hate them; he pities them.
2. “Lobhopahata-cetasah” — Minds Seized by Greed
- Greed is personified as a force that possesses the mind.
- This is a deep spiritual insight — greed doesn’t merely influence; it overtakes.
- In such a state, people are unable to recognize dharma from adharma, or right from wrong.
The Gita thus gives a psychological diagnosis: attachment and greed distort perception.
3. “Kula-kṣaya-kṛtaṁ doṣam” — The Sin of Destroying the Family
- Arjuna refers to the kula (extended family, lineage, heritage).
- In Vedic society, kula represented not just blood ties but cultural, spiritual, and moral continuity.
- Destroying the kula meant not only breaking bonds but severing the roots of dharma.
He warns that even collateral damage in warfare can have irreversible karmic consequences.
4. “Mitra-drohe ca pāpakam” — The Sin of Betraying Friends
- Arjuna further states that betrayal of trust (mitra-droha) is another great pāpakam (sin).
- Here, “mitra” includes relatives, elders, teachers, and even those who once supported or allied with you.
Betraying them for power or pride is not just ungrateful — it’s adharmic.
Philosophical Interpretation:
1. Greed (Lobha) as a Spiritual Disease
- Greed makes one spiritually blind.
- It distorts reality, prioritizing temporary gain over eternal truths.
- It is not just a vice; it is a root cause of moral decay.
2. The Importance of Discernment (Viveka)
- Arjuna is demonstrating viveka — the ability to discern right from wrong even in confusing, emotionally charged situations.
- While the Kauravas fail to recognize sin due to lobha, Arjuna reflects deeply on the hidden consequences of action.
3. Individual Ethics vs Collective Pressure
- Arjuna shows the courage to question group actions.
- He is not following what the majority is doing; he’s reflecting from a personal sense of righteousness.
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Represents |
|---|---|
| Kauravas | Greed-blinded tendencies within the self |
| Arjuna | The inner seeker of truth |
| Kula | Inner structure of spiritual, moral values |
| Mitra-droha | Betrayal of divine guidance or conscience |
| Lobha | Desires that block the soul from realizing truth |
Psychological Insights:
- Greed and Self-Deception: Often, people justify harmful actions when driven by ambition. They lose touch with ethical boundaries.
- Moral Clarity Requires Distance: Arjuna, by reflecting and pausing, gains clarity. Impulse-driven action leads to regret.
- Moral Isolation: Standing for dharma may sometimes feel lonely, especially when others justify wrong behavior.
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever witnessed or experienced how greed distorts decision-making?
How do you respond when others around you seem blind to the moral consequences of their actions
What values do you refuse to compromise on, even if others do?
Are you willing to walk a more difficult path for the sake of dharma?
Conclusion:
This verse is Arjuna’s declaration that moral clarity is not dependent on others. Even if the world is blind, we must not lose sight of righteousness. He sees that greed has blinded the Kauravas, but the Pandavas still have a choice — to act from clarity and compassion, not emotion or retaliation.
It also poses a timeless truth — we are responsible for our own conscience, even when others fall. This is a call to moral courage, to rise above the noise of war and ego, and listen to the still voice of dharma within.