Read a Lecture by Srila Prabhupada on this Verse
AQa cetviMaMa& DaMYa| Sa°aMa& Na k-irZYaiSa )
TaTa" SvDaMa| k-IiTa| c ihTva PaaPaMavaPSYaiSa )) 33 ))
atha cet tvam imaà dharmyaà
saìgrämaà na kariñyasi
tataù sva-dharmaà kértià ca
hitvä päpam aväpsyasi
SYNONYMS
atha-therefore; cet-if; tvam-you; imam-this; dharmyam-as a religious duty; saìgrämam-fighting; na-do not; kariñyasi-perform; tataù-then; sva-dharmam-your religious duty; kértim-reputation; ca-also; hitvä-losing; päpam-sinful reaction; aväpsyasi-will gain.
TRANSLATION
If, however, you do not perform your religious duty of fighting, then you will certainly incur sins for neglecting your duties and thus lose your reputation as a fighter.
PURPORT
Arjuna was a famous fighter, and he attained fame by fighting many great demigods, including even Lord Çiva. After fighting and defeating Lord Çiva in the dress of a hunter, Arjuna pleased the lord and received as a reward a weapon called päçupata-astra. Everyone knew that he was a great warrior. Even Droëäcärya gave him benedictions and awarded him the special weapon by which he could kill even his teacher. So he was credited with so many military certificates from many authorities, including his adopted father Indra, the heavenly king. But if he abandoned the battle, not only would he neglect his specific duty as a kñatriya, but he would lose all his fame and good name and thus prepare his royal road to hell. In other words, he would go to hell, not by fighting, but by withdrawing from battle.
