In Bhagavad Gita 2.35, Krishna says the great chariot-warriors will think Arjuna withdrew from battle out of fear, and those who esteemed him will think lightly of him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
भयाद्रणादुपरतं
मंस्यन्ते त्वां महारथाः
येषां च त्वं बहुमतो
भूत्वा यास्यसि लाघवम् ॥ २-३५ ॥
bhayādraṇāduparataṃ
maṃsyante tvāṃ mahārathāḥ
yeṣāṃ ca tvaṃ bahumato
bhūtvā yāsyasi lāghavam
English transliteration bhayaadranaaduparatam
mamsyante tvaam mahaarathaah
yeshaam cha tvam bahumato
bhootvaa yaasyasi laaghavam ॥ 2.35 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The great chariot-warriors will think you withdrew from the battle out of fear, and those who once held you in high esteem will think little of you.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| भयात् bhayāt | out of fear |
| रणात् raṇāt | from battle |
| उपरतम् uparatam | withdrawn |
| मंस्यन्ते maṃsyante | will think |
| त्वाम् tvām | you |
| महारथाः mahārathāḥ | the great chariot-warriors |
| येषाम् yeṣām | of whom |
| च ca | and |
| त्वम् tvam | you |
| बहुमतः bahumataḥ | highly esteemed bahu (much) + mataḥ (thought of) |
| भूत्वा bhūtvā | having been |
| यास्यसि yāsyasi | will go |
| लाघवम् lāghavam | to lightness, low esteem |
Word-wise Chanting
- bha–yād–ra–ṇā–du–pa–ra–taṃ 8 syllables bha-yaad-ra-naa-du-pa-ra-tam
- maṃs–yan–te tvāṃ ma–hā–ra–thāḥ | 8 syllables mams-yan-te tvaam ma-haa-ra-thaah
- ye–ṣāṃ ca tvaṃ ba–hu–ma–to 8 syllables ye-shaam cha tvam ba-hu-ma-to
- bhūt–vā yās–ya–si lā–gha–vam || 2-35 8 syllables bhoot-vaa yaas-ya-si laa-gha-vam
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 35
Context
Krishna continues the argument about reputation begun in 2.34.
Meaning
Arjuna’s motive for withdrawing is compassion, but others will interpret it as fear. The great warriors who respected him, including Bhishma and Drona, will see a frightened man. Krishna points out that intentions are not visible; actions are. Even a noble motive, if it leads to the wrong action, will be misunderstood.
This verse touches a subtle truth: we are responsible not only for our intentions but for how our actions affect others and what they communicate. A decision that abandons our post can discourage those who depended on us. Right action considers both inner motive and outer effect.
In Practice
Before a major decision, consider how others who depend on you will understand it, and whether your action expresses your true intention.
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.