BG 1.41
When impiety prevails, the women become immoral, and children of mixed social groups are born.
स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः
The characterization of a society plagued by immorality (adharma) as having promiscuous women and mixing of the social classes is common in many conservative and traditionalist worldviews. For thousands of years, the primary audience of the Gita was the male-dominated priesthood and monarchy. The oral tradition of the Bhagavad Gita was dominated by men, as was the Vedic society in which it was written. Numerous commentaries attempt to frame this verse as an expression of the egalitarian nature of Vedic society, but this is simply indefensible given the enormity of evidence to the contrary.
Women in Vedic society
The main sources that are referred to in historical narratives on the status of women in ancient Vedic society are the Rig Veda, epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, and various Brahmanic texts like the Manusmriti. The historical value of these texts is limited, because they are being written by male Brahmin authors from the perspective of those who occupy the highest position of society. Even if some historical notion is to be derived, one should question whether it represents all women in Vedic society, or only those of a particular social group. In the case of the Mahabharata, highlighting the role of a few prominent women born into the nobility only illustrates an exception, not the norm.
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adharmābhibhavāt — preponderance of immorality
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adharma — irreligion, immorality
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abhibhavāt — preponderance
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kṛiṣhṇa — Krishna
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praduṣhyanti — become immoral
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kula-striyaḥ — women of the family
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kula — family, community, tribe
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striyaḥ — women
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strīṣhu — of women
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duṣhṭāsu — become immoral
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vārṣhṇeya — Krishna
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jāyate — are born
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varṇa-saṅkaraḥ — people of mixed social groups
A varṇasaṅkara (वर्णसङ्कर) traditionally refers to someone whose mother and father are from different varṇa social groups (priests, warriors, merchants, and laborers).-
varṇa — social groups
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saṅkaraḥ — mixture
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When a community perishes, its traditions and duties are destroyed, and the families are overcome by immorality. When impiety prevails, the women become immoral, and children of mixed social groups are born. Promiscuity ruins both the family and those who defile it, depriving the ancestors of ritual offerings. By the destruction of lineages and the intermingling of social classes, ancient traditions and family values are destroyed. The wise say that those who destroy family traditions are destined for hell. What a pity that we have decided to commit this great sin, prepared to slay our kinsmen for the pleasures of kingdom. It would be better if the sons of Dhritarashtra should slay me in battle, unarmed and unresisting.
Similar verses
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When a community perishes, its traditions and duties are destroyed, and the families are overcome by immorality.
- Verse 1.40
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Promiscuity ruins both the family and those who defile it, depriving the ancestors of ritual offerings.
- Verse 1.42
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Whenever there is a decline in righteousness, and an increase in immorality, I manifest myself.
- Verse 4.7
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The wise say that those who destroy family traditions are destined for hell.
- Verse 1.44