Chapter 2, Verse 35 (Bhagavad Gita 2.35)
Chapter 2: Sānkhya Yog – Transcendental Knowledge
Sanskrit Shloka
भयाद्रणादुपरतं मंस्यन्ते त्वां महारथाः। येषां च त्वं बहुमतो भूत्वा यास्यसि लाघवम्
Transliteration
bhayād raṇād uparataṁ mansyante tvāṁ mahā-rathāḥ yeṣhāṁ cha tvaṁ bahu-mato bhūtvā yāsyasi lāghavam
Word Meanings
bhayāt—out of fear; raṇāt—from the battlefield; uparatam—have fled; maṁsyante—will think; tvām—you; mahā-rathāḥ—warriors who could single handedly match the strength of ten thousand ordinary warriors; yeṣhām—for whom; cha—and; tvam—you; bahu-mataḥ—high esteemed; bhūtvā—having been; yāsyasi—you will loose; lāghavam—decreased in value
Translation
The great chariot-warriors will think that you have withdrawn from the battle out of fear, and you will be held in low esteem by those who have held you in high regard.
Meaning & Commentary
Krishna highlights here that the ego is bound by the perceptions of others, and fleeing one's duty leads to a loss of self-respect that is psychologically crippling. When we abandon our righteous path due to cowardice or indecision, we dismantle the integrity we spent a lifetime building in the eyes of our peers. This verse teaches that character is defined by the courage to face inevitable challenges rather than seeking comfort in retreat. Spiritually, it suggests that avoiding duty creates a dissonance between one's inner calling and outward actions, leading to a profound sense of internal degradation. Ultimately, Krishna urges Arjuna to transcend the fear of public opinion and focus on the necessity of performing his soul’s duty regardless of the social consequences.