1.39 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 1, Verse 39

In Bhagavad Gita 1.39, Arjuna, standing on the battlefield, continues to reflect deeply on the consequences of the impending war, turning his focus toward the long-term impacts on family and society. He recognizes that the destruction of great family lineages not only means the loss of individual lives but also the annihilation of enduring customs and traditions that have been handed down for generations. In his eyes, the war threatens the very core of social stability by breaking the thread that ties families—and thus societies—together through shared dharma, or righteous duties.

Arjuna’s voice is filled with apprehension as he contemplates the outcome of a broken family structure. He argues that when the elders perish in battle, there is no one left to uphold or transmit these time-honored traditions and ethical standards. The intricate balance created by rituals, customs, and the wisdom of experience is at risk. Once these guiding principles are lost, Arjuna fears that the next generations will grow up without moral anchors, drifting into adharma—unrighteous and destructive ways of living.

He reasons that the elders are not merely figureheads but form the backbone of cultural continuity; their presence ensures that the values and disciplines necessary for a harmonious society are preserved. Without them, Arjuna imagines, the foundation of families will weaken, causing a ripple effect that stretches out to touch all members, including women and children, who become particularly vulnerable to the corrosive influence of lawlessness and neglect.

Arjuna’s concern is vivid—he sees that as these traditional values fade, a rise in irreligion is inevitable. The sanctity of rituals and rites, such as the sraddha ceremonies for departed ancestors, would be disregarded. He foresees a world where the chain of respect, care, and remembrance connecting the past, present, and future would be irreparably broken. This sense of loss is not confined to the present generation but would echo down the generations, undermining the very welfare of the ancestors who rely on the living to keep their memory and spiritual wellbeing intact.

This verse also underscores Arjuna’s empathy and broad-mindedness at this crucial juncture. He does not limit his worries to the outcome of his own actions or the fate of his immediate kin; he thinks expansively, pondering how the collapse of one family’s order can lead to a broader decay of social order. He even includes Krishna in this reflection by subtly pointing out the shared responsibility of those who belong to illustrious dynasties, like Krishna himself, in preserving these structures.

The fear of adharma taking root is thus not just a personal anxiety but a collective one—a potential societal tragedy. Arjuna’s imagination paints a vivid picture of a society unmoored: families with fragmented values, rituals seen as empty gestures, and a rising tide of confusion and conflict among members. This is not merely about religious observance but about the erosion of the very practices that cultivate character, compassion, and responsibility.

In a way, Arjuna’s thoughts capture a universal concern that resonates even outside the context of the Mahabharata: what happens when the guiding principles and moral compasses upheld by wise elders are lost? The verse suggests that the loss reverberates far beyond the battlefield, affecting emotional bonds, ethical upbringing, and the very structure of communal harmony. It is a compelling testament to Arjuna’s sincerity, as he seeks every possible reason to avert war, even if, as other voices might argue, his reasoning is somewhat misplaced in the greater scheme of dharma.

Through this introspection, the verse shines a light on Arjuna’s internal struggle. He is not merely a valiant warrior wrestling with fear or self-doubt; he is a deeply sensitive individual, weighing the unseen costs of violence and worried about the fate of countless others whose lives will never be the same. Arjuna’s anguish at the thought of enduring traditions and relationships unraveling before his eyes paints a poignant moment in the Gita, where ethical dilemmas and the far-reaching consequences of war are vividly brought to life.