Verse 45
Aho bata mahat pāpaṁ kartuṁ vyavasitā vayam
Yad rājyasukhalobhena hantuṁ svajanam udyatāḥ
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- Aho — Alas! / Oh! (expression of deep sorrow or surprise)
- Bata — Indeed / Truly (emphatic expression)
- Mahat — Great / Enormous
- Pāpam — Sin / Evil deed
- Kartum — To perform / To commit
- Vyavasitāḥ — Determined / Resolved
- Vayam — We
- Yat — Because / That
- Rājya-sukha-lobhena — Out of greed for the pleasures of a kingdom
- Hantum — To kill
- Svajanam — Our own people / Kinsmen
- Udyatāḥ — Intending / Ready
“Alas! How strange it is that we have resolved to commit such a great sin—driven by greed for royal pleasure, we are prepared to kill our own kinsmen!”
Expanded Meaning:
This verse reveals Arjuna’s profound moral anguish. Standing on the battlefield, he sees not enemies, but beloved family members — grandfathers, uncles, cousins, teachers. Overwhelmed by sorrow and dismay, he acknowledges the enormity of the sin he is about to commit.
The phrase “Aho bata” intensifies his emotional state — it is a cry of despair and shock. He confesses that “mahat pāpam” — a grievous wrongdoing — is about to be enacted, not by strangers, but by themselves, those who were once dharmic warriors.
The reason? Rājya-sukha-lobhena — the greed for kingdom, comfort, and power. This verse is a moment of soul-searching where Arjuna moves from a warrior’s pride to a seeker’s remorse.
Contextual Analysis:
- Aho bata — A Cry of Conscience
These two interjections reflect Arjuna’s emotional breakdown. It is not just sadness — it is moral horror. The war that once felt noble now appears as a stain on his soul. - Mahat pāpam — A Great Sin
Arjuna now sees the war not as a righteous duty (dharma-yuddha) but as an act of adharma. Killing one’s own people, no matter the cause, seems spiritually devastating to him. - Vyavasitāḥ vayam — We Are Resolved
There is collective accountability here. Arjuna uses “we,” not “I,” acknowledging that the warriors on both sides, including himself and Krishna’s army, are heading toward sin. - Rājya-sukha-lobhena — Greed for Royal Pleasure
He identifies the cause of the sin — lobha (greed), which is one of the six inner enemies in Indian philosophy. The lure of royal comforts is seen as unworthy of such destruction. - Hantuṁ svajanam udyatāḥ — Ready to Kill Our Own People
This is where Arjuna’s despair peaks. The enemy is not a stranger. It’s blood family, spiritual guides, and friends. This personal connection transforms the act from a tactical strike to a spiritual tragedy.
Philosophical Interpretation:
- Dharma vs. Lobha (Greed)
Arjuna contrasts dharma (righteous duty) with lobha (greed). When action is motivated by selfish desire instead of selfless duty, even a justified war becomes sinful. - Karma and Collective Guilt
The verse emphasizes collective moral responsibility — vyavasitāḥ vayam — “we are determined.” No one escapes the consequences of adharma just because they follow orders or customs. - Ethics of War
Arjuna questions whether any war — even one for justice — is worth it if it demands the slaughter of kin and elders. He implies that means matter as much as ends, a deep insight into ethical dharma. - Svajana-Himsa (Violence Toward One’s Own)
Killing one’s own people is seen as a grave karmic burden in the Mahabharata. It creates rina (debt), guilt, and emotional scars that can last across lifetimes.
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Inner Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aho bata | Awakening of conscience, soul’s moral cry |
| Mahat pāpam | The karma of acting against one’s inner voice |
| Rājya-sukha-lobha | Illusion of material gain, ego’s temptation |
| Svajana | Those parts of us we are emotionally bound to |
| Hantum | The act of destroying something sacred or dear |
Modern-Day Relevance:
This verse remains deeply relevant in today’s world of political conflicts, corporate rivalries, and family feuds.
- How often do we hurt loved ones in pursuit of ambition?
- Are we sacrificing sacred relationships for fleeting success or social status?
In modern terms, “rājya-sukha-lobha” could represent:
- Obsession with career over family
- Desire for fame at the cost of integrity
- Winning arguments by hurting relationships
Modern “mahat pāpaṁ” includes acts like betrayal, emotional manipulation, and neglect — all in pursuit of personal gratification.
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever made a choice that hurt your own people in pursuit of success?
What is the “kingdom” you are chasing — is it worth losing relationships over?
Are your actions today aligned with dharma, or driven by lobha (desire)?
How do you define a “great sin” in your personal life — and what safeguards you from it?
Conclusion:
In this verse, Arjuna reaches a peak of emotional clarity. His warrior’s pride gives way to spiritual introspection. He realizes that no gain can justify the loss of one’s inner peace and sacred bonds.
This moment is a spiritual turning point — from reaction to reflection, from ego to empathy. Arjuna’s moral struggle becomes a mirror for our own lives, urging us to ask:
Is what I’m chasing worth the price I’ll pay?
By voicing his doubts, Arjuna exemplifies the beginning of wisdom — where dharma is not imposed by external rules but arises from the awakened voice of the soul.