1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Questions & crisisChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized
2.42.6

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.5

Grief, confusion, and Arjuna accepting discipleship

Karma · Action

गुरूनहत्वा हि महानुभावान्

श्रेयो भोक्तुं भैक्ष्यमपीह लोके ।

हत्वार्थकामांस्तु गुरूनिहैव

भुज्ज‍ीय भोगान्‍रुधिरप्रदिग्धान् ॥ ५ ॥

gurūn ahatvā hi mahānubhāvān

śreyo bhoktuṁ bhaikṣyam apīha loke

hatvārtha-kāmāṁs tu gurūn ihaiva

bhuñjīya bhogān rudhira-pradigdhān

Translation

It would be better to live in this world by begging than to live at the cost of the lives of great souls who are my teachers. Even though desiring worldly gain, they are superiors. If they are killed, everything we enjoy will be tainted with blood.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Respect for Teachers

  1. 1

    Arjuna says begging is better than killing his teachers, because any enjoyment afterward would be tainted with blood.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that scripture allows abandoning a teacher who acts wrongly and loses the ability to judge right from wrong.

  3. 3

    Bhīṣma and Droṇa lost their standing as teachers by siding with Duryodhana for financial support, but Arjuna still considers them his superiors.

Key points from the purport

Arjuna prefers begging rather than to live at the cost of great souls

a

Dharma-sastra vs Artha-sastra — Although Artha-sastra (Rules of politics and sociology) recommends killing of such aggressors, Arjuna gives more weight to Dharma-sastra (religious principles) which promotes forgiveness

b

Scriptural codes’ recommendation on killing such teachers and relatives (As given in the purport)

A teacher is fit to be abandoned if he:

Engages in abominable action

Has lost his sense of discrimination – e.g. Bhisma and Drona taking the side of Dhuyodhana because of his financial assistance

But Arjuna still prefers forgiveness – Because of the unique kind of aggressors i.e seniors and relatives (teachers, grandfathers etc)

Further reading

Arjuna’s Further Doubts & Surrender To Krishna

Arjuna’s further reasons for not fighting

Surrenders to Krishna

Chapter 2, section I: Arjuna’s Further Doubts & Surrender To Krishna
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gurūnthe superiors
  2. ahatvānot killing
  3. hicertainly
  4. mahā-anubhāvāngreat souls
  5. śreyaḥit is better
  6. bhoktumto enjoy life
  7. bhaikṣyamby begging
  8. apieven
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: saṁśaya, viṣāda.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.5 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to questions & crisis?

Practice

Write down the real question behind your current dilemma.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 2 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 2.1Grief, confusion, and Arjuna accepting discipleshipBG 2.2Grief, confusion, and Arjuna accepting discipleshipBG 1.28Compassion entangled with attachmentBG 1.46The bow falls
Live this todayAsk for Spiritual GuidanceA practice from BG 2.7, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction