Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 2 verse 35
Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga

How Others See You · A Practical Concern

भयाद्रणादुपरतं मंस्यन्ते त्वां महारथाः । येषां च त्वं बहुमतो भूत्वा यास्यसि लाघवम् ।।35।।

bhayād raṇād uparataṃ maṃsyante tvāṃ mahā-rathāḥ yeṣāṃ ca tvaṃ bahu-mato bhūtvā yāsyasi lāghavam

Meaning

"The great warriors who once held you in high esteem will think you withdrew from battle out of fear, and you will fall in their regard."

Explanation

Krishna points out the practical social consequence of withdrawal — the loss of respect among peers.

Today's Life Lesson

Consider how avoiding a hard choice today might be misread by the people whose respect matters to you.

More verses to reflect on