अथ चैत्त्वमिमं धर्म्यं संग्रामं न करिष्यसि।ततः स्वधर्मं कीर्तिं च हित्वा पापमवाप्स्यसि ॥

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• 2.35The great chariot-warriors will think that you have withdrawn from the battle out of fear, and you will be held in low esteem by those who have held you in high regard.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.

na

not

cha

and

imam

this

tvam

you

hitvā

abandoning

pāpam

sin

kīrtim

reputation

tataḥ

then

atha chet

if, however

avāpsyasi

will incur

sva-dharmam

one’s duty in accordance with the Vedas

kariṣhyasi

act

dharmyam saṅgrāmam

righteous war