Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.35
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
भयाद्रणादुपरतं मंस्यन्ते त्वां महारथाः । येषां च त्वं बहुमतो भूत्वा यास्यसि लाघवम् ॥३५॥
bhayādraṇāduparataṃ maṃsyante tvāṃ mahārathāḥ | yeṣāṃ ca tvaṃ bahumato bhūtvā yāsyasi lāghavam ||35||
Complete Shloka Translation
The great warriors will think you withdrew from battle out of fear. Those who once esteemed you will come to regard you lightly.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| भयात् | bhayāt | from fear |
| लाघवम् | lāghavam | loss of esteem |
| भयाद्रणादुपरतं | bhayādraṇāduparataṃ | [term] in context of The great warriors will think ... |
| मंस्यन्ते | maṃsyante | [term] in context of The great warriors will think ... |
| त्वां | tvāṃ | [term] in context of The great warriors will think ... |
| महारथाः | mahārathāḥ | [term] in context of The great warriors will think ... |
| येषां | yeṣāṃ | [term] in context of The great warriors will think ... |
| त्वं | ca | [term] in context of The great warriors will think ... |
| बहुमतो | tvaṃ | [term] in context of The great warriors will think ... |
| भूत्वा | bahumato | [term] in context of The great warriors will think ... |
| यास्यसि | bhūtvā | [term] in context of The great warriors will think ... |
| ३५ | lāghavam | [term] in context of The great warriors will think ... |
from fear
loss of esteem
[term] in context of The great warriors will think ...
[term] in context of The great warriors will think ...
[term] in context of The great warriors will think ...
[term] in context of The great warriors will think ...
[term] in context of The great warriors will think ...
[term] in context of The great warriors will think ...
[term] in context of The great warriors will think ...
[term] in context of The great warriors will think ...
[term] in context of The great warriors will think ...
[term] in context of The great warriors will think ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna describes how fellow warriors may interpret the refusal, not what actually motivates Arjuna. Reputation and inner intention can diverge.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Others may misread Arjuna's moral hesitation as fear."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
When have others misunderstood the reason for your hesitation?
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.