Bhagavad Gita · Arjuna Vishada YogaChapter 1, Shloka 33 (1.33)
Original Sanskrit · अर्जुनः
येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च
त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च
॥ 1.33 ॥
yeṣāmarthe kāṅkṣitaṃ no rājyaṃ bhogāḥ sukhāni ca
ta ime'vasthitā yuddhe prāṇāṃstyaktvā dhanāni ca
Translation
"Those for whose sake we desired kingdom, enjoyments and pleasures — those very people stand here in battle, having given up hope of life and wealth."
Interpretation
A kingdom for whom? This is one of Arjuna's deepest arguments. No one wants a kingdom, wealth or pleasure to enjoy alone. We want success so that we can share it with our own — family, teachers, friends. Madhusudana says clearly: a person alone has no need of a kingdom; those for whom the kingdom is wanted are the very ones standing here in battle, giving up life and wealth.
The irony. Winning the war means killing the very people with whom the joy of victory was to be shared. The purpose of victory will itself be destroyed along with the victory. This argument is deeply human: what is a joy worth when no one is left to share it with?
"Ta ime" — these very people. "Those" (for whom) and "these" (who stand in front) — two words pointing to the same group. It is as if Arjuna's finger is raised towards the faces standing before him.
Madhusudana's conclusion: So this effort is neither for oneself nor for one's own — "na svārthaḥ svīyārtho vā" — then what is it for?
AI-assisted draft translation — under review.