Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 35

Chapter 2 – Sankhya Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

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

Transliteration

bhayādraṇāduparataṃ maṃsyante tvāṃ mahārathāḥ .
yeṣāṃ ca tvaṃ bahumato bhūtvā yāsyasi lāghavam ॥

Meaning

The great chariot-warriors will think you withdrew from battle out of fear; and those who held you in high esteem will come to regard you lightly.

Word meanings

भयात् – out of fear
रणात् – from battle
उपरतम् – withdrawn
मंस्यन्ते – will think
त्वाम् – you
महारथाः – the great chariot-warriors
येषाम् – of whom, by whom
च – and
त्वम् – you
बहुमतः – highly esteemed
भूत्वा – having been
यास्यसि – will fall into
लाघवम् – lightness, contempt

Anvaya (word order)

महारथाः त्वां भयात् रणात् उपरतं मंस्यन्ते । येषां च त्वं बहुमतः भूत्वा (अधुना) लाघवं यास्यसि ।

Explanation

Continuing on the theme of dishonour, Krishna now describes how Arjuna's peers — great warriors like Karna, Duryodhana and Ashvatthama — will interpret his withdrawal. However lofty the compassion Arjuna may claim, they will conclude that he fled out of ‘fear’.

This is a deep psychological truth. The meaning of our actions is determined not only by our intentions but also by the situation and by how others see it. To lay down one's weapons on the battlefield, facing the enemy, just before the fighting begins, admits of no other reading.

‘Yesham cha tvam bahumato bhutva’ — those in whose eyes you were greatly esteemed. Bhishma, Drona and Kripa regarded Arjuna as the finest warrior of his age. In their very eyes he will fall into ‘laghava’, insignificance. Those for whose sake Arjuna is giving up the fight will cease to respect him — what an irony!

The verse reminds us that what we do to appear ‘good’ may, in a given situation, be seen as weakness. True honour lies in fulfilling one's duty with courage.

Context

In 2.34 Krishna said dishonour is worse than death. Here He says that the great warriors will think Arjuna afraid and will lose respect for him. In the next verse (2.36) He speaks of the slander his enemies will utter.

Life lesson

The meaning of our actions is shaped by circumstance. Retreating from duty at the decisive hour, however good the intention, is seen as weakness.

Key terms

Maharatha: a great warrior able to fight thousands single-handed
Bahumata: highly esteemed
Laghava: lightness, loss of esteem