Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 36

English Translation

And your enemies will speak many indecent words while denigrating your might. What can be more painful than that?

Detailed Commentary

Commentary on 2.36: "And many unutterable words... disparaging your capability." 'Ahit' refers to adversaries, those who cause harm. Your enemies like Duryodhana, Duhshasana, Karna, and others, bear enmity towards you. They know your strength, that you are a great warrior. Yet, even knowing this, they will disparage your power, saying, "He is weak!" Look! He withdrew at the time of battle, didn't he? Can he stand before us? Can he fight with us? In this manner, to distress you and to provoke you, they will utter many unutterable insults. How will you bear their words? "Tato duhkhataraṁ nu kim"—What sorrow could be greater than this? For it is observed that when a person is humiliated by base individuals, he, propelled by his merit and valor, is driven to sacrifice his life. Similarly, when you are unjustly insulted by your enemies, you will not be able to bear it and will prepare for battle. You have refrained from fighting, but when you do prepare for battle at the opportune moment, how will you be able to bear their condemnation then? Context: Having explained the disadvantages of not fighting in the previous four *shlokas*, Bhagavan now, in the next two *shlokas*, elaborates on the benefits of engaging in battle.