Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 2 verse 36
Chapter 2 · Sankhya Yoga

Facing Ridicule · The Sting of Words

अवाच्यवादांश्च बहून्वदिष्यन्ति तवाहिताः । निन्दन्तस्तव सामर्थ्यं ततो दुःखतरं नु किम् ।।36।।

avācya-vādāṃś ca bahūn vadiṣyanti tavāhitāḥ nindantas tava sāmarthyaṃ tato duḥkhataraṃ nu kim

Meaning

"Your enemies will speak many unspeakable words, ridiculing your ability. What could be more painful than that?"

Explanation

Krishna paints the sting of ridicule from adversaries as another cost of choosing to withdraw.

Today's Life Lesson

Don't let the fear of others' mockery alone determine your choices — weigh it, but don't be ruled by it.

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