Verse : 44
Utsanna-kula-dharmāṇāṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ janārdana
Narake ‘niyataṁ vāso bhavatīty anuśuśruma ||44||
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- Utsanna — Destroyed / Lost
- Kula-dharmāṇām — Of family traditions / family duties
- Manuṣyāṇām — Of such human beings
- Janārdana — O Krishna! (destroyer of evil men)
- Narake — In hell
- Aniyatam — Indefinite / Endless / Uncertain
- Vāsaḥ — Dwelling / Stay
- Bhavati — Becomes / Results in
- Iti — Thus
- Anuśuśruma — We have heard / It is a traditional teaching
O Janārdana (Krishna), it is heard that those whose family traditions are destroyed inevitably dwell in hell for an indefinite period.
Expanded Meaning:
In this verse, Arjuna is summing up the moral and spiritual disaster that follows the destruction of kula-dharma — the inherited duties and sacred traditions of a family or lineage.
He appeals to Krishna not by logic alone, but by referencing śruti — ancient traditional knowledge or teachings — saying, “we have heard” (anuśuśruma), adding spiritual and cultural weight to his argument.
Contextual Analysis:
1. “Utsanna-kula-dharmāṇām manuṣyāṇām” — Humans With Broken Lineage Duties
- Arjuna laments the condition of people whose familial dharma is destroyed due to war.
- Manuṣyāṇām emphasizes the human consequence — this isn’t about policy or strategy, but about individual souls and families.
2. “Narake ‘niyataṁ vāsaḥ” — Indefinite Residence in Hell
- Arjuna refers to the spiritual degradation that follows from losing one’s dharma.
- Hell (naraka) here can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically:
- Literally: A post-death consequence for sins like neglect of duties.
- Metaphorically: Living in a state of suffering, meaninglessness, and chaos, both personally and socially.
3. “Bhavatīti anuśuśruma” — This We Have Heard
- Arjuna invokes the authority of tradition and scriptural wisdom — it’s not merely his opinion.
- This is an emotional and philosophical appeal — to memory, to heritage, and to divine law.
Philosophical Interpretation:
1. Kula-dharma as a Gateway to Liberation
- The concept of kula-dharma includes rites like ancestor offerings, spiritual discipline, respect for elders, and ethical living.
- When these collapse, the soul loses a path toward moksha (liberation), and instead falls into bondage and suffering.
2. Naraka — Not Just a Place, But a State
- In Vedantic and Yogic philosophies, hell is often described as a state of being, not just a location.
- When traditions collapse, it leads to inner confusion, guilt, and karmic entanglement — a psychological naraka.
3. Collective Karma
- This verse introduces the idea of collective spiritual downfall — that the actions of a few (like war-makers) can doom many.
- It emphasizes the interconnectedness of human life — when family structures fall, society crumbles, and many suffer karmically.
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Inner Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kula-dharma | Ancestral wisdom, moral foundation, dharmic lineage |
| Manuṣyāṇām | The human soul journeying through karma and rebirth |
| Naraka | Hell-like state of ignorance, regret, and suffering |
| Aniyatam vāsaḥ | Uncertainty in spiritual progress / stagnation of evolution |
| Anuśuśruma | Respecting sacred knowledge passed down by seers |
Modern-Day Relevance:
- In today’s world, the “hell” Arjuna fears could be interpreted as a life without grounding — where families lose touch with their values, rituals, and responsibilities.
- The disintegration of kula-dharma can be seen in:
- Broken family systems
- Loss of respect for elders
- Neglect of spiritual practice
- Such societies often experience rampant depression, disconnection, and crisis of identity — a modern form of naraka.
Reflection Questions:
What sacred duties or traditions have been passed to you through your family?
Are you keeping those dharmas alive, or have they been lost in your generation?
What does “hell” mean to you — is it a place, or a state of mind?
How can you ensure that your actions today preserve dharma for future generations?
Conclusion:
Arjuna, in this poignant verse, shows the depth of his ethical consciousness. He is not just afraid to kill — he is afraid to be the cause of generational spiritual destruction. His plea to Krishna is both logical and deeply emotional, showing how dharma is not an individual pursuit, but a sacred inheritance.
By referencing the danger of naraka, Arjuna is not being superstitious — he is highlighting the profound consequences of adharma: both seen and unseen, in this life and beyond.