Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 1 verse 45
Chapter 1 · Arjuna Vishada Yoga

Naming the Real Enemy · Greed, Not People

अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम् । यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः ।।45।।

aho bata mahat pāpaṃ kartuṃ vyavasitā vayam yad rājya-sukha-lobhena hantuṃ sva-janam udyatāḥ

Meaning

"Alas, how strange that we are resolved to commit this great sin, ready to kill our own kin out of greed for the pleasures of a kingdom."

Explanation

Arjuna's lament reaches its emotional peak, condemning the very impulse of greed driving the war.

Today's Life Lesson

When conflict arises, ask what underlying greed or fear is truly driving it, rather than blaming people alone.

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