Shloka 52
स मया राज्यकामेन हन्यमानो हापेक्षित: । तस्मादर्वाक््शिरा राजन प्राप्तोडस्मि नरकं प्रभो,किंतु मैंने राज्यके लोभमें पड़कर उनके मारे जानेकी उपेक्षा कर दी। राजन! प्रभो! इस पापके कारण अब मैं नीचे सिर करके नरकमें डाला जाऊँगा
sa mayā rājyakāmena hanyamāno hy apekṣitaḥ | tasmād arvākśirā rājan prāpto 'smi narakaṁ prabho ||
Blinded by my desire for sovereignty, I looked on with indifference while he was being slain. Therefore, O King, O Lord, because of this sin I am destined to fall into hell, headlong—my face turned downward—bearing the weight of my neglect.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ambition for power can dull moral attention; neglecting one’s duty to protect or intervene when wrongdoing occurs becomes a culpable act with karmic consequences, prompting remorse and ethical self-judgment.
Arjuna confesses that, driven by the desire for kingdom, he failed to act while someone was being killed; he interprets this omission as a grave sin and fears a humiliating fall into naraka as its result.