2.36 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 2, Verse 36

In verse 2.36 of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna addresses a profound concern that Arjuna might face should he abandon the battlefield. Krishna warns that Arjuna's enemies will speak ill of him, using harsh and unkind words to defame him and question his abilities as a warrior. The Sanskrit verse uses terms like "avāchya vādān" (unspeakable words) and "nindantaḥ" (vilifying), indicating the severity of the verbal attacks Arjuna would endure.

Krishna poses a rhetorical question to Arjuna: "What could be more painful than that?" This question strikes at the heart of a warrior's psychology, especially one of Arjuna's stature who has built a reputation of valor and courage throughout his life. For a respected warrior, dishonor and public humiliation can be more devastating than physical pain or even death itself.

The verse illuminates the social consequences of Arjuna's potential decision to flee. Enemies like Duryodhana would not understand or believe that Arjuna's reluctance to fight stemmed from compassion for his family members. Instead, they would interpret his actions as cowardice, spreading this narrative far and wide. They would belittle his previous accomplishments and mock his abilities, calling him names like "impotent" and "coward".

Krishna is highlighting a crucial psychological reality: the pain of character assassination can be more unbearable than physical wounds. For someone who has lived his life by a warrior's code and earned respect throughout the kingdom, facing such ridicule would mean "dying every day" - a continuous torment that would follow Arjuna wherever he went.

This verse also reveals how reputation functions in society. People often judge actions without understanding intentions. Even noble motivations, like Arjuna's desire to avoid bloodshed, can be misinterpreted and twisted by others to serve their narratives. The infamy resulting from such misinterpretations can last forever, becoming a source of "great sorrow, worse even than death" for an honorable person.

Krishna's warning serves as a mirror, reflecting how the world operates. People are quick to gossip and spread rumors, especially about those going through difficult phases in life. Once damaged, reputation is difficult to rebuild. In Arjuna's case, the very people he wished to spare would become the source of his humiliation, making his compassionate choice ultimately self-defeating.

Beyond the immediate context of the battlefield, this verse speaks to the vulnerability we create when we base our self-worth on others' opinions. While fame and respect are desirable, they are ultimately impermanent. The verse subtly points to the importance of acting according to one's duty (dharma) rather than being swayed by concerns about reputation or social standing. Krishna is setting the stage for his later teachings on performing one's duties without attachment to outcomes, suggesting that Arjuna should fight not for fame but because it is his duty as a warrior.