bhayād raṇād uparataṁ maṁsyante tvāṁ mahā-rathāḥ yeṣāṁ ca tvaṁ bahu-mato bhūtvā yāsyasi lāghavam
"The great warriors will think you fled from battle out of fear. Those who once held you in high esteem will look down on you."
What This Means:
The great warriors on both sides—these are people who currently respect you, Arjuna—they'll think you ran away because you were scared. You'll go from being admired to being dismissed. All that respect you've earned? Gone.
Going Deeper:
Krishna understands Arjuna's psychology. As a warrior prince, Arjuna has built his entire identity on valor and skill. 'Maharatha' (great warrior) is the highest military rank. Being seen as a coward by these peers would be psychologically devastating. Krishna uses this to motivate action.
How To Apply This:
The people you respect—colleagues, mentors, friends—are watching. Not to judge, but they do notice. When you face your challenges head-on, you earn their respect. When you avoid them, you lose something. Care about the opinion of people you admire, not everyone, and let that inform your courage.
Key Sanskrit Terms: