BHAGAVAD-GITA 2:33

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BHAGAVAD-GITA 2:33

 

atha cet tvam imam dharmyam

sangramam na karisyasi

tatah sva-dharmam kirtim ca

hitva papam avapsyasi

 

WORD FOR WORD

 

atha--therefore; cet--if; tvam--you; imam--this; dharmyam--as a

religious duty; sangramam--fighting; na--do not; karisyasi--perform;

tatah--then; sva-dharmam--your religious duty; kirtim--reputation;

ca--also; hitva--losing; papam--sinful reaction; avapsyasi--will gain.

 

TRANSLATION

 

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.

 

PURPORT

 

Arjuna was a famous fighter, and he attained fame by fighting many

great demigods, including even Lord Siva. After fighting and defeating

Lord Siva in the dress of a hunter, Arjuna pleased the lord and

received as a reward a weapon called pasupata-astra. Everyone knew

that he was a great warrior. Even Dronacarya gave him benedictions and

awarded him the special weapon by which he could kill even his

teacher. So he was credited with so many military certificates from

many authorities, including his adopted father Indra, the heavenly

king. But if he abandoned the battle, not only would he neglect his

specific duty as a ksatriya, but he would lose all his fame and good

name and thus prepare his royal road to hell. In other words, he would

go to hell, not by fighting, but by withdrawing from battle.

 

Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with

permission.