Chapter 2 Overview
Verse 2.34
अकीर्तिं चापि भूतानि कथयिष्यन्ति तेऽव्ययाम्। संभावितस्य चाकीर्तिर्मरणादतिरिच्यते।।2.34।।
akīrtiṁ chāpi bhūtāni kathayiṣhyanti te ’vyayām sambhāvitasya chākīrtir maraṇād atirichyate
Sanskrit Chant Recitation
Chapter 2, Verse 34
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Scripture Translation Room
Sanskrit to English Translation
Translator:
People will also recount your everlasting dishonor; and for one who has been honored, dishonor is worse than death.
A Reading - Rantideb
Why: 'dishonor is worse than death for the honored' names something true about identity, for some people the story they've built their name around is genuinely load-bearing.
In life: what feels like an overreaction to criticism is often someone protecting an identity they've invested everything in.
Teaching: notice which parts of your reputation you're actually willing to risk for the right action, and which parts you're clinging to for their own sake.
akīrtiminfamy
chaand
apialso
bhūtānipeople
kathayiṣhyantiwill speak
teof your
avyayāmeverlasting
sambhāvitasyaof a respectable person
chaand
akīrtiḥinfamy
maraṇātthan death
atirichyateis greater
Deep Classical Commentary (Bhashya)
Author:
2.34 अकीर्तिम् dishonour? च and? अपि also? भूतानि beings? कथयिष्यन्ति will tell? ते thy? अव्ययाम् everlasting? संभावितस्य of the honoured? च and? अकीर्तिः dishonour? मरणात् than death? अतिरिच्यते exceeds.Commentary The world also will ever recount thy infamy which will survive thee for a long time. Death is really preferable to disgrace to one who has been honoured as a great hero and mighty warrior with noble alities.