Chapter 2, Verse 5
गुरूनहत्वा हि महानुभावान् श्रेयो भोक्तुं भैक्ष्यमपीह लोके | हत्वार्थकामांस्तु गुरूनिहैव भुञ्जीय भोगान् रुधिरप्रदिग्धान् ॥5॥
gurūn ahatvā hi mahānubhāvān śreyo bhoktuṃ bhaikṣyam apīha loke | hatvārthakāmāṃs tu gurūn ihaiva bhuñjīya bhogān rudhirapradigdhān ||
"It is better to live in this world even on alms than to slay these noble elders. For, by killing them, even in this world, I shall be enjoying only blood-stained pleasures of wealth and desires."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 2.5 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 2.5 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Arjuna argues that the moral price of victory—the blood of his gurus and elders—is too high. He suggests that a life of poverty and begging (Bhaikṣyam) is 'Śreyaḥ' (superior/better) compared to a kingdom won through the slaughter of those he respects. He fears that the 'Bhogān' (pleasures) attained would be 'Rudhirapradigdhān' (tainted with blood), meaning his conscience would never allow him to enjoy them, much like the internal torment depicted in Macbeth's 'guilty conscience.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 2.5?
It is better to live in this world even on alms than to slay these noble elders. For, by killing them, even in this world, I shall be enjoying only blood-stained pleasures of wealth and desires.