Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 34

English Translation

People also will speak of your unending infamy. And to an honoured person infamy is worse than death.

Detailed Commentary

।।2.34।। Explanation-- Regarding 'अकीर्तिं चापि भूतानि कथयिष्यन्ति ते अव्ययाम्' (And all beings will ever recount your infamy) – humans, Devas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, and others, who have no connection with you, who are neither your friends nor enemies, even such ordinary beings will describe your infamy, saying: 'Look! How timid Arjuna turned out, who abandoned his Kshatra Dharma. He was so brave, but at the time of war, his cowardice became apparent, which no one knew,' and so on. The use of 'te' (they) implies that your ill-repute will spread even in Svarga (heaven), Mrityuloka (earth), and Patalaloka (netherworld), where you had established your dominance. 'Avyaya' (imperishable/everlasting) signifies that the more renowned a person is for their greatness, the more enduring their fame (kirti) and infamy (apakirti) become. Regarding 'संभावितस्य चाकीर्ति मरणादतिरिच्यते' (For one who is esteemed, dishonor is worse than death) – In the first part of this Shloka, the Lord described the condemnation of Arjuna by ordinary beings. Now, in the second part of the Shloka, He states a general principle applicable to all. For an individual who is considered eminent in the eyes of the world, whom people hold in high regard, such a person's disgrace (apakirti) is more dreadful and sorrowful than death itself. The reason is that in death, life merely ends, and one might not have committed any offense; but in disgrace, one deviates from Dharma-maryada (righteous conduct) and duty. The essence is that if a person regarded as great among people deviates from their duty, they incur a terrible and lasting dishonor.