Bhagavad Gita · Sankhya YogaChapter 2, Shloka 35 (2.35)
Original Sanskrit · श्रीभगवान्
भयाद् रणादुपरतं मंस्यन्ते त्वां महारथाः
येषां च त्वं बहुमतो भूत्वा यास्यसि लाघवम्
॥ 2.35 ॥
bhayād raṇāduparataṃ maṃsyante tvāṃ mahārathāḥ
yeṣāṃ ca tvaṃ bahumato bhūtvā yāsyasi lāghavam
Translation
"The great chariot-warriors will think you withdrew from battle out of fear; and those in whose eyes you have been held in high esteem will think you small."
Interpretation
"Bhayāt" — out of fear. Arjuna's real reason was pity (1.28). But Krishna says: the world will not see your heart — it will see only your stepping back and take it for fear. Shankaracharya: out of fear of Karna and others — not out of pity — so the great warriors will think.
The fall of reputation. Even among the Kauravas, Arjuna was regarded as a great warrior (bahumata — esteemed as one of many virtues). If he steps back, those same people will think him laghu (of little worth).
Intention and appearance. This shloka shows a bitter truth: the world judges the meaning of our actions not by our intentions but by our actions. Even a decision taken out of compassion can look like cowardice from the outside.
AI-assisted draft translation — under review.