Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1: Verses 40 - 44

Imagining a trail of disaster

Kulakshaye Pranashyanthi Kuladharmah Sanathanaha
Dharme Nashte Kulam Krithsnam Adharmobhibhavathyutha

Adharmabhibhavath Krishna Pradushyanthi Kulasthriyaha
Streeshu Dushtasu Varshneya Jayate Varnasankaraha

Sankaro Narakayaiva Kulghnanam Kulasya cha
Patanti Pitaro Hyesham Lupthapindodaka Kriyaha

Doshairetaih Kulaghnananam Varnasankara Karakaihi
Utsadyante Jatidharmaha Kuladharmascha Shashwathaha

Utsanna Kuladharmanam Manushyanam Janardana
Narake Niyatam Vasaha Bhavatheethyanushushruma

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Arjuna forebodes a trail of disasters by fighting the war. He said it will lead to a decadence of clans when the traditional balance of family customs perished. This would be followed by anarchy.
Oh Krishna, when there is lawlessness, this would lead to the corruption of the minds of women. When such a corruption happened, there would be a mixture of different classes, Oh leader of the Vrishni race!
When family relationships go haywire, both the members of the clan and those who destroy it go to hell. The spirit of the ancestors will suffer without legitimate progeny to perform rites and obsequies with rice balls (Pinda Danam) and water.
By the actions of those who ruin the clan, the traditions of communities carried out from time immemorial would get disrupted.
Oh Janardana, we have heard that a place awaits in hell surely for those whose religious traditions have been lost, says Arjuna.
These lines reveal several details on the importance attached then to following the customs and traditional practices and the prevalent traditions in society, the system of castes, the culture of performing ancestral rites.
It should also be noted here that Krishna, is aware that in the context of the war, these were the consequent results. Yet he goads Arjuna to participate in the war. This reveals that prevalence of customs and traditions and religious practices are not in the hands of individuals, but are shaped by a higher destiny and force in the scheme of the immemorial Sanatana Dharma or Eternal Religion. The change in the cultures and traditions of many countries and peoples over the centuries ever since the evolution of man, proves this point.
- Swahilya Shambhavi.
(Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Vignana Bhairava Tantra. swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)