Gita 1.44

Chapter 1: Arjuna's Dilemma

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Gita 1.44
उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन। नरकेऽनियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम।।

utsanna-kula-dharmāṇāṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ janārdana narake 'niyataṁ vāso bhavatīty anuśuśruma

"O Krishna, we have heard that those whose family traditions are destroyed must dwell indefinitely in hell."

What This Means:

Arjuna cites scripture: 'We have heard' (anuśuśruma) that destroyers of family traditions go to hell. He's appealing to religious authority to support his position.

Going Deeper:

Arjuna is selectively citing scripture. The same traditions also teach that a warrior who abandons righteous battle goes to hell. He's picking the texts that support his current emotion while ignoring others.

How To Apply This:

We can find scriptural or authoritative support for almost any position. Be honest about whether you're seeking truth or seeking confirmation for what you've already decided.

Key Sanskrit Terms:

Anuśuśruma= We have heard (from tradition)Aniyata= Indefinite, undetermined