1.33 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 1, Verse 33

In verse 1.33 of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna continues his emotional plea to Krishna, expressing his deep conflict about fighting against his own family members. The verse states: "They for whose sake we desire kingdom, enjoyment and pleasures stand here in battle, having renounced life and wealth". This powerful statement reveals Arjuna's fundamental dilemma – that the very people for whom he would normally want to gain a kingdom and its associated pleasures are now his opponents on the battlefield.Arjuna's words reflect his increasingly desperate state of mind as he articulates a profound irony: "Those, for whose sake we seek kingdom, enjoyment and happiness, are present here in war, ready to give up their desire for life and wealth". He questions the purpose of obtaining victory or rulership when it would come at the cost of destroying his own family and loved ones. The verse reveals Arjuna's belief that any enjoyment or happiness derived from such a victory would be hollow and meaningless.In this moment, Arjuna is experiencing what could be described as an existential crisis. He sees no value in gaining a kingdom if those with whom he would share his prosperity would no longer exist. The verse demonstrates how Arjuna's personal attachments and emotions have become entangled with his duty as a warrior, creating an internal conflict that has paralyzed his ability to act according to his dharma as a Kshatriya.The original Sanskrit words "yeshaamarthe kaankshitam no raajyam bhoogaha sukhani cha" (येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितम् नः राज्यम् भोगाः सुखानि च) literally translate to express how all worldly pursuits – kingdom, enjoyments, and pleasures – are typically sought for sharing with loved ones. Arjuna is highlighting the paradox that achieving these things would require him to destroy the very relationships that give such achievements meaning.This verse illustrates how Arjuna's confusion stems from his inability to separate his personal relationships from his professional duty. As noted in the commentary, "In his confused state, his mind mixed up his personal relationships with his mission-wise relationships". This is a classic example of what happens when someone allows personal attachments to overshadow their responsibilities, resulting in "complete confusion and breakdown of the mission."Arjuna's lament in this verse also reveals the depth of his compassion and humanity. Despite being a renowned warrior, he finds himself unable to follow through with actions that would cause harm to those he loves, even if they stand against him as enemies. His statement reflects a universal human struggle between duty and emotional attachment, between doing what is expected and doing what feels right to one's heart.The verse serves as a pivotal moment in setting up the philosophical discourse that follows in the Bhagavad Gita. Arjuna's emotional turmoil and moral questioning create the necessary conditions for Krishna to begin his teachings about dharma, karma, and the nature of the self. Through this verse, we see Arjuna not just as a mighty warrior, but as a deeply reflective human being grappling with fundamental questions about the meaning of life, duty, and relationships.