Bhagavad Gita 2.5
Sankhya Yoga · English Translation
गुरूनहत्वा हि महानुभावान् श्रेयो भोक्तुं भैक्ष्यमपीह लोके | हत्वार्थकामांस्तु गुरूनिहैव भुञ्जीय भोगान् रुधिरप्रदिग्धान् ||२-५||
gurūnahatvā hi mahānubhāvān śreyo bhoktuṃ bhaikṣyamapīha loke . hatvārthakāmāṃstu gurūnihaiva bhuñjīya bhogān rudhirapradigdhān ||2-5||
What Does This Verse Mean?
In this verse, Arjuna speaks to Krishna, expressing his deep moral dilemma about fighting a war against his own teachers and elders. He argues that it is far better for him to live as a humble beggar than to kill these noble souls to gain the kingdom he desires. The core teaching highlights that achieving one's goals through violence and betrayal brings spiritual contamination, making any resulting happiness or wealth tainted by bloodshed.
The Teaching Behind It
This verse primarily develops the theme of Dharma (righteous duty) within the context of Sankhya Yoga and Karma Yoga. It introduces the concept that actions driven by selfish desire (arthakama), especially those involving violence against spiritual guides, result in karmic contamination rather than true liberation or happiness.
Word by Word
Where This Happens
This verse occurs in the opening moments of the Bhagavad Gita on the battlefield of Kurukshetra during the Mahabharata war. Arjuna has just surveyed his army and recognized that he must fight against his own gurus, grandfathers, uncles, and cousins. Overwhelmed by grief and confusion after Krishna's initial advice to stand up, Arjuna expresses a desire to abandon the fight entirely rather than commit the sin of matricide and killing teachers.
Living It Out Today
Consider a professional scenario where an employee is pressured to sabotage a respected mentor or colleague to secure a promotion they have worked hard for. This verse teaches that achieving success through betrayal, even if it leads to wealth and status, creates lasting internal guilt and damages one's integrity. The practical lesson is to reject short-term gains obtained by harming others' trust, choosing instead an honest path where future peace of mind outweighs immediate material reward.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have two choices: you can keep your toys and be a kind friend who asks for help when needed, OR you can fight with your best friends to take their stuff. Arjuna says the second choice is terrible because even if he wins all his favorite things by hurting people he loves, those treasures will feel dirty and sad inside him. It's like getting candy from someone else after pushing them down; it might taste sweet for a moment, but you would still feel bad about what happened.
Daily Reflection
Today, pause and consider where you might be chasing success at the expense of someone else's dignity or well-being. The verse reminds us that wealth built on harming others is like food served on a plate stained with blood; it can never truly nourish the spirit. You are invited to replace that pursuit with the humble strength of integrity, finding peace in giving rather than taking.
A Practice for Today
Sit quietly and visualize the weight of your own desires, imagining them as heavy stones that stain the purity of your soul. Ask yourself if you would trade a moment of peace for something gained through harm or compromise with those who deserve respect. Let this image guide you to choose simplicity over exploitation in your daily choices.
Key Teachings
- The Weight of Blood-Stained Wealth
Arjuna recognizes that material enjoyments gained through killing or harming noble beings are inherently tainted and spiritually destructive. This teaching warns that the source of our gain determines its purity, making ill-gotten wealth a poison rather than a blessing. - The Superiority of Humble Living
Accepting alms with dignity is presented as far superior to achieving kingdom and power through the destruction of teachers. This establishes that spiritual integrity and humility are more valuable than any material dominion gained by violence. - The Duty Toward Spiritual Masters
Gurus represent the highest form of nobility, and harming them is a transgression against cosmic order (Dharma). The verse emphasizes that violating one's duty to teachers leads to immediate spiritual degradation in this very life.
Themes
Related Verses
Read This Next
- 2.47 — Read this next to understand how Arjuna transitions from emotional grief to understanding his duty without attachment to results.
- 3.30 — This verse complements the theme by instructing on surrendering all actions and their fruits to the Divine, cleansing the desire for personal gain.
- 12.15 — Read this to see how a devotee who does not disturb others through selfishness or greed is described as dear to Krishna.
Recommended Reading
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