Verse 5
Gurūn ahatvā hi mahānubhāvān
śreyo bhoktuṁ bhaikṣyam apīha loke
hatvā artha-kāmān tu gurūn ihaiva
bhuñjīya bhogān rudhira-pradigdhān
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- Gurūn — Teachers / Elders
- Ahatvā — Without killing
- Hi — Indeed / Surely
- Mahānubhāvān — Great-souled ones / Honorable men
- Śreyaḥ — Better / More auspicious
- Bhoktum — To enjoy / Live
- Bhaikṣyam — Alms / Begged food
- Api — Even
- Iha — In this world
- Loke — In the world / society
- Hatvā — Having killed
- Artha-kāmān — Those desiring wealth and pleasures
- Tu — But / Yet
- Gurūn — Elders / Teachers
- Iha eva — Right here / In this very world
- Bhuñjīya — One would enjoy
- Bhogān — Pleasures / Luxuries
- Rudhira-pradigdhān — Tainted with blood
It is better to live in this world by begging than to slay these great-souled teachers. Though they are desirous of worldly gain, if I kill them, all the pleasures I enjoy will be tainted with their blood.
Expanded Meaning:
Arjuna, gripped by grief and moral confusion, continues to argue why fighting is unthinkable. He claims that even a life of poverty through alms (bhaikṣyam) is preferable to one stained with the blood of his revered elders.
He acknowledges that even though Bhishma and Drona may be aligned with material motives (artha-kāmān), their stature as gurus and mahānubhāvān makes it a spiritual crime to kill them.
Contextual Analysis:
- Ahimsa Over Dharma?
Arjuna momentarily places the principle of non-violence and emotional reverence above the duty-bound violence of a warrior’s path. - Bhiksha (Begging) as a Moral Alternative
The idea of living by alms, usually looked down upon by Kṣatriyas, becomes morally superior in Arjuna’s mind because it doesn’t involve betrayal or bloodshed. - Artha-Kāmān — Desirous of Wealth and Pleasure
Arjuna recognizes that his elders have been influenced by material desires. Yet, their role in his life transcends their flaws. - Rudhira-Pradigdhān — Tainted With Blood
Any enjoyment after killing one’s gurus is compared to consuming food soaked in blood, highlighting the emotional horror of such an act.
Philosophical Interpretation:
- Moral Dissonance vs. Righteous Duty
Arjuna’s words show how dharma is not always emotionally intuitive. Even when logically justified, an action can feel spiritually impure. - Relative vs. Absolute Ethics
This verse contrasts relative morality (don’t kill revered elders) with absolute dharma (fulfill one’s righteous duty despite pain). Arjuna is caught in this ethical paradox. - Conflict Between External Dharma and Inner Conscience
Arjuna is trying to reconcile his Kṣatriya role with his inner voice of devotion and reverence. The verse reveals the complexity of truly living a dharmic life. - Detachment From Outcome
Arjuna’s aversion to “blood-stained pleasures” hints at the idea that outcome-based thinking often leads to emotional bondage.
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Inner Meaning |
|---|---|
| Gurūn | Embodiments of inner guidance and past conditioning |
| Bhiksha (Begging) | Life of humility and renunciation |
| Artha-Kāmān | Attachment to wealth and desire |
| Rudhira-Pradigdhān | Consequences of adharma; karmic impurity |
| Mahānubhāvān | Those who once inspired our values, now seen with dual perception |
Modern-Day Relevance:
This verse speaks to situations where:
- We must stand up for what’s right, even if it means opposing mentors, elders, or family.
- We feel morally conflicted because those we love are involved in wrong action.
- Ethical choices seem to defile our inner peace, making even justified success feel hollow.
Examples today:
- Whistleblowers speaking against unethical practices in family-run businesses.
- Spiritual seekers who break away from outdated but revered traditions.
- Individuals refusing wealth earned by harming others.
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever chosen silence or renunciation to avoid hurting someone you deeply respect?
Do emotional attachments stop you from taking firm ethical stands?
Can the pursuit of comfort and pleasure ever justify morally questionable actions?
Is it possible to honor someone’s past good while standing against their present wrong?
Conclusion:
This verse reveals Arjuna’s deep moral and emotional integrity. His unwillingness to enjoy blood-stained victories shows his spiritual depth, even if his reasoning is clouded.
Arjuna’s pain is not cowardice—it’s the pain of someone whose heart and dharma are misaligned.
But soon, Krishna will guide him (and all of us) toward an enlightened path where duty is performed without ego, grief, or desire, for the welfare of the world.