The Verse
श्लोक
Translation
अनुवाद
English
Why should we not have the wisdom to turn away from this sin, O Janardana, we who clearly see the evil in the destruction of family?
हिंदी
हे जनार्दन! कुल-नाश के दोष को स्पष्ट देखने वाले हम लोगों को इस पाप से हटना क्यों न समझना चाहिए?
Deep Reflection
गहन चिंतन
The logical conclusion of the previous verse:
"They are blind, but we can see. If we can see the sin, shouldn't we be wise enough to avoid it?"
Arjuna is making a case for moral clarity demanding moral action.
The Psychology of Moral Responsibility
"Prapaśyadbhiḥ"—by those who see clearly. Arjuna emphasizes that the Pandavas can perceive what the Kauravas cannot.
Vision isn't just about perception—it's about obligation. If you can see harm that others can't, you have a duty they don't have.
Knowledge creates responsibility. The more clearly you understand consequences, the more accountable you are.
Wisdom to Turn Away
"Jñeyam... nivartitum"—wisdom to turn away. True wisdom, Arjuna suggests, would lead to retreat.
We often think wisdom means knowing what to do. But wisdom can also mean knowing what not to do—recognizing when the right action is no action, when winning isn't worth it.
The Sin of Knowing Better
Arjuna's argument: sinning in ignorance is one thing; sinning while knowing is worse.
If the Kauravas are blind, they have partial excuse. But the Pandavas can see. They know what they're doing. Their sin would be clear-eyed, deliberate, with full understanding.
That kind of sin is harder to excuse—and harder to live with.
Rhetorical Question
"Kathaṁ na jñeyam"—why should it not be understood? The question is rhetorical. Arjuna assumes the answer is obvious.
Arjuna is forcing Krishna (and himself) to articulate what seems self-evident: if you see the sin, you should avoid the sin.
But the Gita will complicate this. Sometimes what seems obvious is incomplete.
Why Complete Arguments Demand Complete Responses
This verse completes Arjuna's case. He's argued from emotion, from ethics, from consequence, from knowledge.
Arjuna has built his case thoroughly. Now Krishna must address every layer—not just dismiss his feelings, but engage his arguments.
The strength of Arjuna's position is what makes Krishna's teaching necessary.
What This Means for You
व्यावहारिक ज्ञान
Seeing clearly increases responsibility. You can't claim ignorance about things you understand.
Wisdom includes knowing when to stop. Not all action is wise. Sometimes the right move is retreat.
Conscious wrongdoing weighs heavier. Doing wrong knowingly is harder to excuse—even to yourself.
State the obvious. Sometimes what seems self-evident needs explicit articulation.
Live With It
इस श्लोक को जिएं
The Curse of Competence.
In any group project, family crisis, or team failure, there is usually one person who "sees" what's going on while everyone else is running around blindly.
Arjuna asks: "Why should WE not have the wisdom to turn away?"
If you are the one who sees the cliff coming, it is your job to hit the brakes.
You can't say, "Well, they didn't stop, so why should I?" They didn't stop because they are blind (see previous verse). You are not blind.
Your clarity is your burden. If you know better, you have to do better. You are the designated driver for humanity in that moment.
It feels unfair. "Why do I have to be the responsible one?" Because you're the only one with your eyes open.
A Question to Sit With
चिंतन के लिए प्रश्न
"When have you done something you knew was wrong—and how did that awareness affect you afterward?"