Dharma (धर्म)

Why should not we learn to turn away from such a sin, O Janârdana, who see the evils in the destruction of a family?

In the destruction of a family the immemorial family traditions perish; in the perishing of tradition, lawlessness overcomes the whole family;

Owing to predominance of lawlessness, O Krishna, the women of the family become corrupt; women corrupted, O Vârshneya, there ariseth caste confusion;

This confusion draggeth to hell the slayers of the family, and the family; for their ancestors fall, deprived of rice-balls and libations.

By these caste-confusing misdeeds of the slayers of the family, the everlasting caste customs and family customs are abolished.

The abode of the men whose family customs are extinguished, O Janârdana, is everlastingly in hell. Thus have we heard.

Further, looking to thine own duty thou shouldst not tremble; for there is nothing more welcome to a Kshattriya than righteous war.

Happy the Kshattriyas, O Pârtha, who obtain such a fight, offered unsought as an open door to heaven.

But if thou wilt not carry on this righteous warfare, then casting away thine own duty and thine honour, thou wilt incur sin.

Men will recount thy perpetual dishonour, and, to one highly esteemed, dishonour exceedeth death.

The great car-warriors will think thee fled from the battle from fear, and thou, that wast highly thought of by them, wilt be lightly held.

Many unseemly words will be spoken by thine enemies, slandering thy strength; what more painful than that?

Slain, thou wilt obtain heaven; victorious, thou wilt enjoy the earth; therefore stand up, O son of Kuntî, resolute to fight.

These worlds would fall into ruin, if I did not perform action; I should be the author of confusion of castes, and should destroy these creatures.

Better one's own duty, though destitute of merit, than the duty of another, well discharged. Better death in the discharge of one's own duty; the duty of another is full of danger.

Whenever there is decay of righteousness, O Bhârata, and there is exaltation of unrighteousness, then I Myself come forth;

For the protection of the good, for the destruction of evil-doers, for the sake of firmly establishing righteousness, I am born from age to age.

The four castes were emanated by Me, by the different distribution of qualities and actions; know Me to be the author of them, though the actionless and inexhaustible.

And I the strength of the strong, devoid of desire and passion. In beings I am desire not contrary to duty, O Lord of the Bharatas.

Of Brâhmanas, Kshattriyas, Vaishyas and Shûdras, O Parantapa, the duties have been distributed, according to the qualities born of their own natures.

Serenity, self-restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness and also uprightness, wisdom, knowledge, belief in God, are the Brâhmana duty, born of his own nature.

Prowess, splendour, firmness, dexterity, and also not flying from battle, generosity, the nature of a ruler, are the Kshattriya duty, born of his own nature.

Ploughing, protection of kine, and trade are the Vaishya duty, born of his own nature. Action of the nature of service is the Shûdra duty, born of his own nature.

Man reacheth perfection by each being intent on his own duty. Listen thou how perfection is won by him who is intent on his own duty.

He from whom is the emanation of beings, by Whom all This is pervaded, by worshipping Him in his own duty a man winneth perfection.

Better is one's own duty though destitute of merits than the well-executed duty of another. He who doeth the duty laid down by his own nature incurreth not sin.

Congenital duty, O son of Kunti, though defective, ought not to be abandoned. All undertakings indeed are clouded by defects as fire by smoke.

Abandoning all duties come unto Me alone for shelter; sorrow not, I will liberate thee from all sins.