Bhagavad Gita Sloka 5 Meaning, Translation and Interpretation

Sloka/verse 5 – Yoga of Kurukshetra

“Nimittaani cha pashyaami vipareetaani keshava;
Na cha shreyo’nupashyaami hatwaa swajanam aahave;
Na kaangkshe vijayam krishna na cha raajyam sukhaani cha;
Kim no raajyena govinda kim bhogair jeevitena vaa.”

Translation

“And I see adverse omens, O Kesava! I do not see any good in killing my kinsmen in battle.
For I desire neither victory, O Krishna, nor pleasures nor kingdoms! 
Of what avail is a dominion to us, O Krishna, or pleasures or even life?”

Interpretation

Continuing his anguish Arjuna tells Krishna, that all he is seeing are the bad omens from the time they have assembled for the battle. He tells Krishna that why should he wage this battle? What is the good he is going to achieve in killing his own people that is being fought for the supremacy? He also tells Krishna that he is not behind money, wealth or pleasures or the victory. He adds that by getting a piece of land or the pleasure of victory what is the use or relevance of it?

In a way, Arjuna gets very emotional at the sight of his near and dear and the thought of killing them in the battle has weakened his resolve and brought out all unnecessary self doubts and pros and cons of going to a war.

Extending Interpretation to Mankind’s Life!

How many times it has happened that we ask questions before doing a work? Just think, are you asking these questions to get clarity or to escape from an unfortunate and difficult situation! Many times we take the shelter in irrational logic and misplaced emotions to justify our inability to act. Take a small example. I did not go to another place for higher studies because I love my parents a lot and cant live without them.

This statement shows the person’s love and care for the parents. But more than that what it reveals is the weak heartedness of a person who has forgone the opportunity that was presented to him. A weak person can never protect his parents when the time comes. He will just run away from the situation. Because what he has learnt is to run away and avoid situations and present emotional arguments to justify them.

My advice to everyone is simple. Be strong, be bold to face every situation. Running away is not the solution. If you run away from one situation, you will never have the courage to face another and whole life you will be running away leading a life of misery and not achieving anything.

That’s why they say “A Brave-heart dies once, while a coward dies a million times”, because every time a coward runs away from the situation, its a death to him!

 

 

“SARVE JANA SUKHINO BHAVANTU
SARVE SANTU NIRAAMAYA
SARVE BHADRANI PASHYANTU
MA KASCHITH DUKHA MAPNIYA”

“MAY ALL BECOME HAPPY,
MAY ALL BE FREE FROM ILLNESS,
MAY ALL SEE WHAT IS AUSPICIOUS,
MAY NO ONE SUFFER”

Published by Sriram

A Teacher trying to Learn new things and explore the world each day! Believe in Happiness by the virtue of sacrifice and forgiveness.

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