Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya 44

Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya

Chapter-2 Sankhya Yogaḥ

If it is asked — ‘How could dishonour accrue to me, who am a hero, but have withdrawn from the battle only out of love and compassion for my relatives?’ the reply is as follows:— bhayād raṇād uparataṁ mansyante tvāṁ mahārathāḥ | yeṣāṁ ca tvaṁ bahu-mato bhūtvā yāsyasi lāghavam || 35 || 35. The great warriors will think that you have fled from the battle in fear. These men who held you in high esteem will then speak disparagingly of you. Commentary Great warriors like Karna, Duryodhana, etc., hitherto held you in high esteem as a worthy opponent. Now, by refraining from combat when it has already begun, you will appear to be a despicable coward. These great warriors will assume that you have withdrawn from fear, because courageous adversaries do not turn away from battle through affection and compassion for relatives but only through fear of their opponents. Moreover;—