भयाद्रणादुपरतं मंस्यन्ते त्वां महारथाः।येषां च त्वं बहुमतो भूत्वा यास्यसि लाघवम् ॥

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• 2.35The great chariot-warriors will think that you have withdrawn from the battle out of fear, and you will be held in low esteem by those who have held you in high regard.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

cha

and

tvam

you

tvām

you

bhayāt

out of fear

bhūtvā

having been

raṇāt

from the battlefield

uparatam

have fled

yāsyasi

you will loose

lāghavam

decreased in value

yeṣhām

for whom

maṁsyante

will think

bahu-mataḥ

high esteemed

mahā-rathāḥ

warriors who could single handedly match the strength of ten thousand ordinary warriors