Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.36
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अवाच्यवादांश्च बहून्वदिष्यन्ति तवाहिताः । निन्दन्तस्तव सामर्थ्यं ततो दुःखतरं नु किम् ॥३६॥
avācyavādāṃśca bahūnvadiṣyanti tavāhitāḥ | nindantastava sāmarthyaṃ tato duḥkhataraṃ nu kim ||36||
Complete Shloka Translation
Your enemies will speak many words that should not be spoken, belittling your ability. What could be more painful than that?
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अवाच्यवादान् | avācyavādān | words that should not be spoken |
| सामर्थ्यम् | sāmarthyam | ability or strength |
| अवाच्यवादांश्च | avācyavādāṃśca | [term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w... |
| बहून्वदिष्यन्ति | bahūnvadiṣyanti | [term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w... |
| तवाहिताः | tavāhitāḥ | [term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w... |
| निन्दन्तस्तव | nindantastava | [term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w... |
| सामर्थ्यं | sāmarthyaṃ | [term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w... |
| ततो | tato | [term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w... |
| दुःखतरं | duḥkhataraṃ | [term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w... |
| नु | nu | [term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w... |
| किम् | kim | [term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w... |
| ३६ | kim | [term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w... |
words that should not be spoken
ability or strength
[term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w...
[term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w...
[term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w...
[term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w...
[term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w...
[term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w...
[term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w...
[term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w...
[term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w...
[term] in context of Your enemies will speak many w...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
This completes the appeal to reputation before Krishna returns to duty and equanimity. The rhetorical question reflects this battlefield exchange, not a ranking of all suffering.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The argument continues through the social consequences Arjuna would face."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How much influence should anticipated criticism have on a responsible choice?
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.