Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.34
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अकीर्तिं चापि भूतानि कथयिष्यन्ति तेऽव्ययाम् । सम्भावितस्य चाकीर्तिर्मरणादतिरिच्यते ॥३४॥
akīrtiṃ cāpi bhūtāni kathayiṣyanti te'vyayām | sambhāvitasya cākīrtirmaraṇādatiricyate ||34||
Complete Shloka Translation
People will speak of your lasting dishonour. For one held in esteem, dishonour is worse than death.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अकीर्तिम् | akīrtim | dishonour |
| सम्भावितस्य | sambhāvitasya | of one held in esteem |
| अकीर्तिं | akīrtiṃ | [term] in context of People will speak of your last... |
| चापि | cāpi | [term] in context of People will speak of your last... |
| भूतानि | bhūtāni | [term] in context of People will speak of your last... |
| कथयिष्यन्ति | kathayiṣyanti | [term] in context of People will speak of your last... |
| तेऽव्ययाम् | te'vyayām | [term] in context of People will speak of your last... |
| चाकीर्तिर्मरणादतिरिच्यते | cākīrtirmaraṇādatiricyate | [term] in context of People will speak of your last... |
| ३४ | cākīrtirmaraṇādatiricyate | [term] in context of People will speak of your last... |
dishonour
of one held in esteem
[term] in context of People will speak of your last...
[term] in context of People will speak of your last...
[term] in context of People will speak of your last...
[term] in context of People will speak of your last...
[term] in context of People will speak of your last...
[term] in context of People will speak of your last...
[term] in context of People will speak of your last...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The comparison is forceful rhetoric about warrior honour. It is not a general instruction to prefer death when facing shame or criticism.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Krishna appeals to the honour Arjuna values in his warrior role."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How can you weigh honour without making your worth depend on public judgment?
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.