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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 Verse 34 (1.34)

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 Verse 34 (1.34)

आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः । मातुलाः श्वशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः सम्बन्धिनस्तथा ॥ ३४ ॥

āchāryāḥ pitaraḥ putrāstathaiva cha pitāmahāḥ mātulāḥ śhvaśhurāḥ pautrāḥ śhyālāḥ sambandhinastathā

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • अचय (Acharyah) — आचार्य(teachers)
  • इतर (pitarah) — पिता(fathers)
  • पुत्रह् (putrah) — पुत्र(sons)
  • तत् (tad) — वह(that)
  • aiva joined in putrāstathaiva
  • (ca) — और(and)
  • पितामहः (pitamahah) — पितामह(grandfathers)
Line 2:
  • मउल (matulah) — मउल(maternal uncles)
  • वउर (shvashurah) — पिता(fathers-in-law)
  • पउर (pautrah) — पुत्र(grandsons)
  • यल (shyalah) — यल(brothers-in-law)
  • सबइन (sambandhinah) — स्वजन(relatives)
  • तत् (tad) — वह(that)
  • a joined in sambandhinastathā

English: They are teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives.

💡 Commentary Note

Arjuna names the elders, relatives, and loved ones standing in battle. His list shows how deeply the conflict reaches into family and community life.

The verse slows us down. Before treating people as opponents, Arjuna remembers their relationships and roles. This memory makes the decision harder, but also more human.

Learnings from Shloka 34:
  • People are more than roles: Opponents may also be teachers, elders, and relatives.
  • Memory deepens compassion: Remembering relationships makes violence harder to accept.
  • Community cost matters: Conflict can affect an entire family network.

Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz

Practice this shloka vocabulary

Match Sanskrit words from shloka 1.34 with their Hindi and English meanings.

Practice vocabulary