Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.33
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अथ चेत्त्वमिमं धर्म्यं सङ्ग्रामं न करिष्यसि । ततः स्वधर्मं कीर्तिं च हित्वा पापमवाप्स्यसि ॥३३॥
atha cettvamimaṃ dharmyaṃ saṅgrāmaṃ na kariṣyasi | tataḥ svadharmaṃ kīrtiṃ ca hitvā pāpamavāpsyasi ||33||
Complete Shloka Translation
If you do not undertake this battle aligned with dharma, you will abandon your own duty and honour and incur wrongdoing.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कीर्तिम् | kīrtim | honour or reputation |
| पापम् | pāpam | wrongdoing or sin |
| अथ | atha | [term] in context of If you do not undertake this b... |
| चेत्त्वमिमं | cettvamimaṃ | [term] in context of If you do not undertake this b... |
| धर्म्यं | dharmyaṃ | [term] in context of If you do not undertake this b... |
| सङ्ग्रामं | saṅgrāmaṃ | [term] in context of If you do not undertake this b... |
| करिष्यसि | na | [term] in context of If you do not undertake this b... |
| ततः | kariṣyasi | [term] in context of If you do not undertake this b... |
| स्वधर्मं | tataḥ | [term] in context of If you do not undertake this b... |
| कीर्तिं | svadharmaṃ | [term] in context of If you do not undertake this b... |
| हित्वा | kīrtiṃ | [term] in context of If you do not undertake this b... |
| पापमवाप्स्यसि | ca | [term] in context of If you do not undertake this b... |
| ३३ | hitvā | [term] in context of If you do not undertake this b... |
honour or reputation
wrongdoing or sin
[term] in context of If you do not undertake this b...
[term] in context of If you do not undertake this b...
[term] in context of If you do not undertake this b...
[term] in context of If you do not undertake this b...
[term] in context of If you do not undertake this b...
[term] in context of If you do not undertake this b...
[term] in context of If you do not undertake this b...
[term] in context of If you do not undertake this b...
[term] in context of If you do not undertake this b...
[term] in context of If you do not undertake this b...
[term] in context of If you do not undertake this b...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna evaluates refusal as well as participation. This claim depends on the duty and conflict under discussion; inaction is not automatically innocent.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Avoiding an action can also carry moral consequences."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What responsibility might remain when you choose not to act?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse when facing identity crisis or fear of failure: distinguish the unchanging inner self from transient life situations, and act with full dedication without anxiety over the final outcome.