BG 2.37

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.

हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम्
तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः

hato — slain
vā — or
prāpsyasi — you will attain
swargaṁ — celestial abodes
jitvā — by achieving victory
vā — or
bhokṣhyase — you shall enjoy
mahīm — the kingdom on earth
tasmād — therefore
uttiṣhṭha — arise
kaunteya — Arjuna
yuddhāya — for fighting
kṛita-niśhchayaḥ — accomplish with determination
- kṛita — accomplish
- niśhchayaḥ — determination, resolution, resolve

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.

[33]

People will always remember your dishonor. For a respectable person, infamy is worse than death.

[34]

The great warriors will think you have fled out of fear. Those who hold you in high esteem will no longer do so.

[35]

Your enemies will use harsh words to defame you further. What could be more painful than this?

[36]

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.

[37]

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.

[38]

Summary