Bhagavad Gita: Understanding One Shloka at a time. (Chp. 2, Verse 33) — HBR Patel

Trying to understand Bhagavad Gita, one Shloka at a time…

अथ चेतत्त्वमिमं धर्म्यं संग्रामं न करिष्यसि |
तत: स्वधर्मं कीर्तिं च हित्वा पापमवाप्स्यसि || 33||

However, if you do not engage in this battle of righteousness, then by forsaking your duty and reputation, you will certainly incur sin.

Bhagwan Shri Krishna explains to Arjuna all the benefits of fighting this war of righteousness. Arjuna was reluctant to fight this war due to the attachment to his friends and family. Bhagwan Shri Krishna previously explained to him that by fighting this war of righteousness, the warrior in that battle opens the gate to heaven. So, Arjuna should not let go of all his grief and false beliefs to fight this war.

However, if Arjuna still chooses to stay away from the war then Bhagwan Shri Krishna warns Arjuna about failing to perform his Swadharma. If Arjuna fails to perform his prescribed duty as a Kshatriya, who is always ready to fight for the sake of righteousness, he would lose his reputation and incur sin. Arjuna…