Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 2 verse 5
Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga

A Costly Victory · Some Gains Aren't Worth It

गुरूनहत्वा हि महानुभावान् श्रेयो भोक्तुं भैक्ष्यमपीह लोके । हत्वार्थकामांस्तु गुरूनिहैव भुञ्जीय भोगान् रुधिरप्रदिग्धान् ।।5।।

gurūn ahatvā hi mahānubhāvān śreyo bhoktuṃ bhaikṣyam apīha loke hatvārtha-kāmāṃs tu gurūn ihaiva bhuñjīya bhogān rudhira-pradigdhān

Meaning

"It is better to live on alms in this world without killing these noble elders, than to enjoy wealth and pleasures stained with their blood."

Explanation

Arjuna would rather live in humble poverty than gain a kingdom stained by the blood of his own teachers.

Today's Life Lesson

Weigh today whether a potential gain is truly worth the relationships or values it might cost you.

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