Bhagavad Gita for Modern World: Chapter 1 Verses 39, 40, 41, 42
Verses 1.39, 1.40, 1.41. 1.42 explained
Translation:
When the clan (Kul) is destroyed, with it is destroyed the eternal family traditions(Kul dharma). On the destruction of such “Kul dharma”, the remaining clan gets corrupted for sure and corrupt actions predominate.
When adharma (~corruption) becomes prominent in a clan (Kul), then the family’s women get polluted (in their minds). A woman with a polluted mind gives rise to children with undesirable qualities.
Such children with undesirable qualities make life like hell for both the family and the ones who were responsible for the destruction of the family. The “Pittar” (souls of dead ancestors) also come to an end due to deprivation as there is no one to offer “Pind Daan” (a ritual where yearly offering to the ancestral souls are made during the month of Shradh)
Due to such flaws, caused by people who destroy clans, which lead to the rise of such corrupt heirs (children), the eternal family traditions are destroyed and thus leading to the destruction of even societal traditions.
Commentary:
Arjun till now has been highlighting the primary consequence of war, which is the destruction and death of his family.
He now thinks further and points out the second-degree consequences of this war, which is a mega war!
Rise of Adharma or Corruption
Arjun says that with the death of his family members, many families will be destroyed. It is the father’s role to provide security to the family and pass on vital knowledge to his children, along with the mother. With the fathers gone, there wouldn’t be any guiding figure in the family. This will cause an imbalance in the upbringing of the families as the father and mother, both are important. And when families are impacted, the whole clan will be impacted as a whole.
Arjun further argues that the imbalance caused within the family due to the death of family members will alter the personalities of people, due to different reasons like trauma, depression, or lack of love, emotional support, and security. This change in personality will trigger a change in behaviour and mindset, which will lead to a change in the discharge of duties, which he terms as Adharma or corruption.
Pollution of Minds: Women and Children
Arjun says when such Adharma or Corruption creeps in, over time it impacts the women of the family, emotionally, socially, and financially. Devoid of guidance, security, and emotional support by the fathers and husbands, they will start behaving differently, and their ethics and values will change. This might also lead them to seek comfort and support from other men, who might take advantage of their situations. This will further cause emotional trauma, and also the introduction of new men will lead to the introduction of new values in the family, thereby altering the behaviour and mindset of women. This Arjun terms as Pollution of minds of Women.
While everyone in the family will be impacted due to the loss of life in this war, the impact on women will be most crucial, as a woman’s behaviour and values dictate how the future generations will behave, for they will raise children in the future, who will end up learning from their mothers. Thus a mother with a polluted mind and exhibiting poor behaviour will give rise to emotionally troubled children who will emulate her values and ethics and will grow to become the future generations. Arjun argues that such corrupt children will make life difficult for everyone, including the people who were responsible for this war.
Third-Degree Consequences of War
This will not only break the family traditions and values, but at large will impact the society as well, for society is made up of families, and children are the future of society. This was the third-degree consequence of war!
Arjun is thus emphasizing that war is not a solution, but rather a cause of the destruction of families and the corruption of society.
A Modern Perspective
What Arjun fears is real. Imagine a war in the modern world. It leads to mass-scale destruction. Many people die, and families are destroyed. The economy is impacted massively, prices rise and poverty prevails.
In such a scenario it is very difficult to run a home. One has to earn, and for that entire time needs to be devoted to the job at hand. In a family where the bread earner is dead, the women will have to work, thus causing them to stay away from their children, and be physically and emotionally unavailable. This impacts the upbringing of their children. The fatigue of the labour, and the emotional stress of being alone, affect their ability to love their child, as compared to a house where both father and mother are present.
A woman who has lost her husband, also feels the void in her life, and it is natural for her to seek comfort in other men- be it emotionally, physically, or financially. After all, a family is supposed to be managed by both men and women!
A child without a father is also bound to feel the emotional void, and often they grow up to be fucked-up adults as the childhood trauma remains buried in their subconscious mind.
This is a practical situation which prevails even in the modern world.
Women empowerment in Ancient India was poor
Now, imagine the situation thousands of years ago, when Mahabharat took place. During those times, women weren’t as empowered as they are today. They lacked education, and were looked upon at a lower status than men, who had all the power in their hands.
The condition of the women of the noble household was even worse. While a woman of a poor house can still work, it was impossible for a widow of a noble house to earn her own standing. Without a man, she was deemed incomplete. Thus it was natural and imperative for her to seek comfort from other men, for the sake of herself and her family, for the only other option was to live a life of hardship, which only a few of strong character will choose!
Thus what Arjun says, made absolute sense, and his logic couldn’t be refuted.
