In Bhagavad Gita 2.34, Krishna tells Arjuna that people will speak of his dishonour for ever, and for an honoured person, dishonour is worse than death.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अकीर्तिं चापि भूतानि
कथयिष्यन्ति तेऽव्ययाम्
सम्भावितस्य चाकीर्तिर्
मरणादतिरिच्यते ॥ २-३४ ॥
akīrtiṃ cāpi bhūtāni
kathayiṣyanti te’vyayām
sambhāvitasya cākīrtir
maraṇādatiricyate
English transliteration akeertim chaapi bhootaani
kathayishyanti te’vyayaam
sambhaavitasya chaakeertir
maranaadatirichyate ॥ 2.34 ॥
Translation / Meaning
People will speak of your dishonour for all time, and for one who has been honoured, dishonour is worse than death.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अकीर्तिम् akīrtim | dishonour |
| च ca | and |
| अपि api | also |
| भूतानि bhūtāni | people, beings |
| कथयिष्यन्ति kathayiṣyanti | will speak |
| ते te | your |
| अव्ययाम् avyayām | unending |
| सम्भावितस्य sambhāvitasya | for one who has been honoured |
| च ca | and |
| अकीर्तिः akīrtiḥ | dishonour |
| मरणात् maraṇāt | than death |
| अतिरिच्यते atiricyate | is worse |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–kīr–tiṃ cā–pi bhū–tā–ni 8 syllables a-keer-tim chaa-pi bhoo-taa-ni
- ka–tha–yiṣ–yan–ti te–‘vya–yām | 8 syllables ka-tha-yish-yan-ti te-‘vya-yaam
- sam–bhā–vi–tas–ya cā–kīr–tir– 8 syllables sam-bhaa-vi-tas-ya chaa-keer-tir-
- ma–ra–ṇā–da–ti–ric–ya–te || 2-34 8 syllables ma-ra-naa-da-ti-rich-ya-te
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 2 Verse 34
Context
Krishna adds a social argument to the argument from duty (2.34–2.36).
Meaning
Krishna now speaks to Arjuna as a man of reputation. Arjuna is famous throughout the land; if he withdraws, people will remember it forever. For a person of honour, living with a reputation for cowardice is worse than dying. This appeal works at a more ordinary level than the teaching on the Self.
Krishna offers arguments at several levels because people are moved by different things. The highest motive is knowledge of the Self; next is duty; then honour and reputation. The Gita does not despise these lower motives but uses them to help a person move toward the right action. Later it will teach acting without concern for praise or blame (12.18–12.19).
In Practice
Reflect on what reputation you would want to leave behind. Let that picture guide one choice you make today.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.