Sankhya Yoga
सांख्य योग
गुरूनहत्वा हि महानुभावान् श्रेयो भोक्तुं भैक्ष्यमपीह लोके। हत्वार्थकामांस्तु गुरूनिहैव भुंजीय भोगान् रुधिरप्रदिग्धान् ॥ 2:5॥
गुरून् अ-हत्वा हि महानुभावान्, श्रेयः भोक्तुम् भैक्ष्यम् अपि, इह लोके! हत्वा अर्थ-कामान् तु गुरून् इह एव भुञ्जीय भोगान्, रुधिर-प्र-दिग्धान्!
महानुभावान् (महानुभाव) गुरून् (गुरुजनों को) अ-हत्वा (न मारकर) इह (इस) लोके (लोक में) भैक्ष्यम् (भिक्षा का अन्न) अपि (भी) भोक्तुम् (खाना) श्रेयः (श्रेष्ठ) हि, (क्योंकि) गुरून् (गुरुजनों को) हत्वा (मारकर) इह (यहाँ) रुधिर-प्र-दिग्धान् (रक्त से सने हुए) अर्थ-कामान् (धन की कामना की मुख्यता वाले) भोगान् (भोगो को) एव (ही) तु (तो) भुञ्जीय (भोगूँगा)!
Hindi
आदरणीय गुरुजनों को न मारकर मैं भिक्षा के अन्न पर भी निर्वाह करना कल्याणकारक समझता हूँ! गुरुजनों को अपने हाथों से मारकर इस लोक में मैं धन-धान्य और काम-सिक्त भोगों को कैसे भोग पाऊँगा!!
English
Better it is to live by begging than to kill my esteemed Gurus. For, after their fall, all the pleasures and riches we might gain would be tainted with their blood. (2:5)
English
Both Bhishma and Drona were Arjuna's Gurus in their own ways. "Guru" has no direct equivalent word in the English language. While "teacher" and "mentor" are close, a Guru holds a significantly higher and more venerable position in Indian tradition. The verse illustrates the noble values that guide Prince Arjuna, echoed in subsequent verses. No wonder Bhagawān Krishna acknowledges Arjuna's innate "divine qualities" and deserving character for the highest spiritual attainments (16:5). This stands in stark contrast to Duryodhana, whose actions are driven solely by raw selfishness, disregarding higher human values. It underscores why Sri Krishna aligns with Arjuna and the Pāndavas in the war, offering insight into why God periodically reincarnates to uphold "Dharma" and thwart the forces of evil (4:7).