अकीर्तिं चापि भूतानि कथयिष्यन्ति तेऽव्ययाम् ।
संभावितस्य चाकीर्तिर्मरणादतिरिच्यते ॥
संभावितस्य चाकीर्तिर्मरणादतिरिच्यते ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
और सब प्राणी भी तेरी सदा रहनेवाली अपकीर्तिका कथन अर्थात निंदा करेंगे । वह अपकीर्ति सम्मानित मनुष्यके लिये मृत्युसे भी बढ़कर दुःखदायी होती है ॥
English
And all beings will speak of your everlasting disgrace. For an honored person, disgrace is worse than death.
What this verse means
People will keep speaking of your disgrace, and for someone who has been honored, that shame feels worse than death.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna has lowered his bow and is wavering. Krishna warns him that if he turns away now, the world will remember not his greatness but his disgrace. For a warrior known for honor, that loss cuts deeper than death.
Why this verse still matters
You walk out of a room knowing the hard truth but choosing silence. The image that follows you is not comfort — it is the version of yourself that backed away.
The takeaway
Honor can feel more fragile than life itself, and avoiding your duty can wound it deeply.
Word-by-word translation
अकीर्तिम् (disgrace) / च (and) / अपि (also) / भूतानि (beings) / कथयिष्यन्ति (will speak) / ते (of you) / अव्ययाम् (everlasting) / संभावितस्य (of one who has been honored) / च (and) / अकीर्तिः (disgrace) / मरणात् (than death) / अतिरिच्यते (is greater)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga — The Yoga of Knowledge, which contains 72 verses.
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses)