Bhagavad Gita · Sankhya YogaChapter 2, Shloka 34 (2.34)
Original Sanskrit · श्रीभगवान्
अकीर्तिं चापि भूतानि कथयिष्यन्ति तेऽव्ययाम्
सम्भावितस्य चाकीर्तिर्मरणादतिरिच्यते
॥ 2.34 ॥
akīrtiṃ cāpi bhūtāni kathayiṣyanti te'vyayām
sambhāvitasya cākīrtirmaraṇādatiricyate
Translation
"And people will speak of your dishonour for a long time; and for one who has been honoured, dishonour is worse than death."
Interpretation
"Sambhāvita" — an honoured person. Shankaracharya: one who is honoured for qualities such as being righteous and brave — for such a person dishonour is worse than death: sambhāvitasya ca akīrteḥ varaṃ maraṇam.
"Avyayām" — lasting dishonour. People will talk not just for a few days — but for generations. In the world of the Mahabharata, kirti (honour) was one of life's great values.
Is Krishna raising the fear of "what will people say"? It is natural for this question to arise. Look at the context: in his arguments Arjuna had given great importance to social consequences (family dharma, society). Krishna answers him on that same level — "even if you look at it from society's point of view, your stepping back will bring dishonour". This argument is laukika — worldly (Shankara, 2.38); the Gita's deeper answer lies in equanimity (2.38) and action without desire for fruit (2.47).
AI-assisted draft translation — under review.