Bhagavad Gita 2.34 — Dishonor Is Worse Than Death for a Respected Person
अकीर्तिं चापि भूतानि कथयिष्यन्ति तेऽव्ययाम्।
सम्भावितस्य चाकीर्तिर्मरणादतिरिच्यते॥ २.३४॥
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People will also speak of your lasting dishonor, and for one who has been honored, dishonor is worse than death.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| akīrtim | dishonor, infamy |
| cha | and |
| api | also |
| bhūtāni | people, beings |
| kathayiṣhyanti | will speak of |
| te | your |
| avyayām | everlasting, lasting |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sambhāvitasya | of an honored person, of one who is respected |
| cha | and |
| akīrtiḥ | dishonor |
| maraṇāt | than death |
| atirichyate | exceeds, is worse |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| akīrtim | dishonor, infamy | sambhāvitasya | of an honored person, of one who is respected |
| cha | and | cha | and |
| api | also | akīrtiḥ | dishonor |
| bhūtāni | people, beings | maraṇāt | than death |
| kathayiṣhyanti | will speak of | atirichyate | exceeds, is worse |
| te | your | ||
| avyayām | everlasting, lasting | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse Lord Krishna speaks about reputation, which matters deeply to a warrior of Arjuna's standing. People will speak of his dishonour for all time, He says, and for one who has been highly respected, dishonour is worse than death. Krishna is appealing to a value Arjuna holds dear in order to awaken him from his confusion.
Essence
The lasting memory of disgrace
Lord Krishna says, akīrtim cāpi bhūtāni kathayiṣyanti te 'vyayām. Beings will speak of your disgrace without end. The word avyayām means imperishable or unending. A single act of retreat could define the way people remember Arjuna for generations, overshadowing a lifetime of heroism.
Sambhāvitasya (of one who has been honoured): The verse refers to a person who is highly respected and looked up to. For such a person, reputation is not merely personal pride. It reflects the trust that others have placed in him. Letting that trust down in a moment of crisis is a serious matter.
Akīrtir maraṇād atiricyate (dishonour exceeds death): Krishna says that for such a person, living in disgrace is worse than dying. This statement belongs to the warrior ethic of the time, in which a good name was valued above life.
Understanding Krishna's approach
It might seem that this appeal to reputation contradicts the Gita's later teaching, in which a wise person is the same in honour and dishonour. Here it is important to remember that Krishna is teaching in stages. At this point, He meets Arjuna at the level of values Arjuna already holds, showing that even by his own standards, withdrawal is not justified. Later, as the Gita unfolds, the teaching moves toward action that is free from concern for praise and blame, performed purely as duty.
There is also a lesson here about integrity. A good name, when it reflects genuine character, is a form of responsibility. The Gita does not tell us to be careless about how our actions affect others' trust in us, only not to be enslaved by public opinion.
Message for Everyday Life (Integrity Beyond Image)
Reputation can be a healthy motivator when it reflects real character, but it becomes a trap when we live only for approval.
Let your conduct earn trust: Consistent honesty and reliability are the foundation of any good name.
Do not be ruled by applause or blame: Aim to do what is right, and let reputation follow naturally rather than chasing it directly.
The lasting memory of disgrace
Lord Krishna says, akīrtim cāpi bhūtāni kathayiṣyanti te 'vyayām. Beings will speak of your disgrace without end. The word avyayām means imperishable or unending. A single act of retreat could define the way people remember Arjuna for generations, overshadowing a lifetime of heroism.
Sambhāvitasya (of one who has been honoured): The verse refers to a person who is highly respected and looked up to. For such a person, reputation is not merely personal pride. It reflects the trust that others have placed in him. Letting that trust down in a moment of crisis is a serious matter.
Akīrtir maraṇād atiricyate (dishonour exceeds death): Krishna says that for such a person, living in disgrace is worse than dying. This statement belongs to the warrior ethic of the time, in which a good name was valued above life.
Understanding Krishna's approach
It might seem that this appeal to reputation contradicts the Gita's later teaching, in which a wise person is the same in honour and dishonour. Here it is important to remember that Krishna is teaching in stages. At this point, He meets Arjuna at the level of values Arjuna already holds, showing that even by his own standards, withdrawal is not justified. Later, as the Gita unfolds, the teaching moves toward action that is free from concern for praise and blame, performed purely as duty.
There is also a lesson here about integrity. A good name, when it reflects genuine character, is a form of responsibility. The Gita does not tell us to be careless about how our actions affect others' trust in us, only not to be enslaved by public opinion.
Message for Everyday Life (Integrity Beyond Image)
Reputation can be a healthy motivator when it reflects real character, but it becomes a trap when we live only for approval.
Let your conduct earn trust: Consistent honesty and reliability are the foundation of any good name.
Do not be ruled by applause or blame: Aim to do what is right, and let reputation follow naturally rather than chasing it directly.
Next Topic
The Lord has described the lasting disgrace that withdrawal would bring. He now makes the picture more specific by naming who will think poorly of Arjuna. In the next verse He says that the great chariot-warriors will think he left the battle out of fear, and that those who once respected him will hold him lightly.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
A good name outlasts a long life.
How you act today becomes how you are remembered.
Some losses hurt more than death.
Trust once broken is hard to mend.
Live in a way that you'd be proud to be remembered.
Those who are looked up to cannot easily look away.
Reputation is only the shadow of character.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'akīrti' (dishonor, infamy) mean?
Who is 'sambhāvita' (honored person) here?
Why is dishonor said to be worse than death?
Does the Gita always say reputation is important?
What does 'avyaya' (everlasting) imply in 'akīrtim avyayām'?
Explore related topics
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