akīrtiṁ cāpi bhūtāni kathayiṣyanti te 'vyayām sambhāvitasya cākīrtir maraṇād atiricyate
"People will speak of your everlasting dishonor. For one who has been honored, dishonor is worse than death."
What This Means:
Krishna appeals to Arjuna's pride: 'Everyone will talk about how you fled from battle. Forever. For someone as respected as you, living with that shame would be worse than dying.' This is a practical, worldly argument—Arjuna cares about his reputation.
Going Deeper:
The word 'avyayam' (everlasting) is used here for dishonor—ironic, since Krishna just used it for the soul. The implication: your body will die anyway, but the story of your cowardice will outlive you. Legacy matters to warriors. Krishna meets Arjuna where he is, using arguments that will move him.
How To Apply This:
Consider your legacy. What story will be told about how you handled challenges? Not that you should live for others' approval, but recognize that how you act in difficult moments defines you. Would you rather be remembered for courage or avoidance? For doing what's right or what's comfortable?
Key Sanskrit Terms: