BG 2.33
On the other hand, refusing to fight in this righteous war is a sinful act, a dereliction of your duty, and will destroy your reputation.
ततः स्वधर्मं कीर्तिं च हित्वा पापमवाप्स्यसि
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atha — however
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chet — if
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tvam — you
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imaṁ — this
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dharmyaṁ — righteous
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saṅgrāmaṁ — conflict, war
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na — not
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kariṣhyasi — act
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tataḥ — then
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sva-dharmaṁ — prescribed duties, in accordance with righteous action
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sva — in accordance with
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dharmaṁ — duties, righteous actions
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kīrtiṁ — reputation
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cha — and
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hitvā — abandoning
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pāpam — sin
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avāpsyasi — will incur
On the other hand, refusing to fight in this righteous war is a sinful act, a dereliction of your duty, and will destroy your reputation. People will always remember your dishonor. For a respectable person, infamy is worse than death. The great warriors will think you have fled out of fear. Those who hold you in high esteem will no longer do so. Your enemies will use harsh words to defame you further. What could be more painful than this? If you are slain, you will attain heaven. If you win, you will enjoy a kingdom on Earth. Therefore, stand up and fight with determination. Happiness and sadness, gain and loss, victory and defeat - all should be treated alike. In this way, you will never be acting sinfully when fighting.
Similar verses
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Further, your duty as a soldier compels you not to waver. For a warrior, there is no higher duty than fighting a righteous war.
- Verse 2.31
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If, in your vanity, you think of avoiding this fight, your resolve may be futile but your very nature will compel you to fight.
- Verse 18.59
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Happiness and sadness, gain and loss, victory and defeat - all should be treated alike. In this way, you will never be acting sinfully when fighting.
- Verse 2.38
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If you are slain, you will attain heaven. If you win, you will enjoy a kingdom on Earth. Therefore, stand up and fight with determination.
- Verse 2.37
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It is ignorant to renounce one's prescribed responsibilities.
- Verse 18.7