अकीर्तिं चापि भूतानि कथयिष्यन्ति तेऽव्ययाम्।संभावितस्य चाकीर्तिर्मरणादतिरिच्यते ॥

Teachers usually read this idea across several verses together, one shared reflection covers the whole unit.

• 2.31Further, having regard to your duty, you should not waver, for there is nothing higher for a Kshatriya than a righteous war.
• 2.32Happy are the Kshatriyas, O Arjuna! who are called to fight in such a battle that comes of its own accord as an open door to heaven.
• 2.33But if you will not fight this righteous war, then having abandoned your own duty and reputation, you will incur sin.

• 2.34People will also recount your everlasting dishonor; and for one who has been honored, dishonor is worse than death.

• 2.35The great chariot-warriors will think that you have withdrawn from the battle out of fear, and you will be held in low esteem by those who have held you in high regard.
• 2.36Your enemies, scoffing at your power, will speak many abusive words—what could be more painful than this?
• 2.37Slain, you will obtain heaven; victorious, you will enjoy the earth; therefore, stand up, O son of Kunti, resolved to fight.
• 2.38Having made pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat equal, engage in battle for the sake of battle; thus, you shall not incur sin.

akīrtim

infamy

cha

and

api

also

bhūtāni

people

kathayiṣhyanti

will speak

te

of your

avyayām

everlasting

sambhāvitasya

of a respectable person

akīrtiḥ

infamy

maraṇāt

than death

atirichyate

is greater