sva-dharmam api chaveksya
na vikampitum arhasi। dharmyad dhi yuddhac chreyo ’nyat kshatriyasya na vidyate॥ 2.31 ॥ |
Considering your specific duty as a kshatriya, you should know that there is no better engagement for you than fighting on religious principles; and so there is no need for hesitation.
yadrcchaya copapannam
svarga-dvaram apavrtam। sukhinah kshatriyah Arjuna labhante yuddham idrsam॥ 2.32 ॥ |
O Arjuna, happy are the kshatriyas to whom such fighting opportunities come unsought, opening for them the doors of the heavenly planets.
atha cet tvam imam dharmyam
sangramam na karishyasi। tatah sva-dharmam kirtim cha hitva papam avapsyasi॥ 2.33 ॥ |
If, however, you do not perform your religious duty of fighting, then you will certainly incur sins for neglecting your duties and thus lose your reputation as a fighter.
akirtim chapi bhutani
kathayisyanti te ’vyayam। sambhavitasya chakirtir maranad atiricyate॥ 2.34 ॥ |
People will always speak of your infamy, and for a respectable human being, dishonor is worse than death.
bhayad ranad uparatam
mamsyante tvam maha-rathah:। yesham cha tvam bahu-mato bhutva yasyasi laghavam॥ 2.35 ॥ |
The great generals who have highly esteemed your name and fame will think that you have left the battlefield out of fear only, and thus they will consider you insignificant.
avacya-vadams cha bahun
vadisyanti tavahitah:। nindantas tava samarthyam tato duhkhataram nu kim॥ 2.36 ॥ |
Your enemies will describe you in many unkind words and scorn your ability. What could be more painful for you?