1.38 — Seeing harm and taking responsibility

← Chapter 1 learning path · Open this lesson in the continuous player

Dharma In You · Updated 8 October 2026

Speaker: Arjuna, addressing Krishna

Teaching film · Sanskrit · Everyday reflection

Our original brief meaning and reflection accompany the Sanskrit below.

Verses 1.38–1.39 share one connected lesson. Each shloka retains its own number.

Context, Sanskrit and lesson transcript

Arjuna now contrasts what he believes the others see with what he and his companions can understand.

यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः।
कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम्॥३८॥

कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम्।
कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन॥३९॥

Brief meaning, in our own words. He says that greed clouds the others’ minds, so they do not recognise the wrong of destroying a family or betraying friends. He asks why those who do see this harm should not turn away from such wrongdoing.

The description of the others as blinded by greed belongs to Arjuna. The narrator is reporting his reasoning, rather than claiming to know every person’s motives.

Here is our everyday reflection. Another person’s actions do not remove our responsibility for our own. Before responding, name the harm you can see and the choice that remains yours.