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Chapter 1 · Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra · 46 verses

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Questions & crisisChapter 1 · Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra
1.381.40

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 1.39

Concerns over dharma and family duty

कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः ।

धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत ॥ ३९ ॥

kula-kṣaye praṇaśyanti

kula-dharmāḥ sanātanāḥ

dharme naṣṭe kulaṁ kṛtsnam

adharmo ’bhibhavaty uta

Translation

With the destruction of the dynasty, the eternal family tradition is vanquished, and thus the rest of the family becomes involved in irreligion.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Protecting Family Spiritual Traditions

  1. 1When a dynasty is destroyed, its eternal family tradition is lost, and the remaining family falls into irreligion.
  2. 2Religious traditions in the varṇāśrama system help family members grow properly and gain spiritual values.
  3. 3Elders are responsible for the family's purifying practices from birth to death.
  4. 4If elders die, these practices may stop, and younger members may develop irreligious habits and lose their chance for spiritual salvation.
  5. 5Therefore, family elders should not be killed for any purpose.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 1, Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra: concerns over dharma and family duty.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Honest questions open the way to wisdom.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: saṁśaya, viṣāda.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 1.39 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to questions & crisis?

Practice

Write down the real question behind your current dilemma.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 1 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 1.40Concerns over dharma and family dutyBG 1.41Concerns over dharma and family dutyBG 2.7The moment Arjuna becomes a discipleBG 6.34The restless mind

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 1.39 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.