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.
तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः
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hato — slain
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vā — or
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prāpsyasi — you will attain
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swargaṁ — celestial abodes
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jitvā — by achieving victory
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vā — or
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bhokṣhyase — you shall enjoy
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mahīm — the kingdom on earth
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tasmād — therefore
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uttiṣhṭha — arise
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kaunteya — Arjuna
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yuddhāya — for fighting
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kṛita-niśhchayaḥ — accomplish with determination
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kṛita — accomplish
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niśhchayaḥ — determination, resolution, resolve
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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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Therefore, arise and win glory. Conquer your foes, and enjoy the princely pleasures. I have already slain your foes - you are but a mere instrument in their destruction.
- Verse 11.33
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Those for whose sake we desire this kingdom, stand here in battle, ready to give up their lives and wealth.
- Verse 1.33
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Therefore, remember me at all times, and fight. Surrender your mind and intellect to me, and you will certainly attain my divine status.
- Verse 8.7
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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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The doors of heaven are wide open to such warriors, who rejoice to come across such a war.
- Verse 2.32