Verse 33
atha cet tvam imaṁ dharmyaṁ saṅgrāmaṁ na kariṣyasi
tataḥ svadharmaṁ kīrtiṁ ca hitvā pāpam avāpsyasi
Word-by-Word Meaning:
| Sanskrit | Meaning |
|---|---|
| atha | but / however / now |
| cet | if |
| tvam | you |
| imam | this |
| dharmyam | righteous / in accordance with dharma |
| saṅgrāmam | battle / war |
| na | do not |
| kariṣyasi | perform / do |
| tataḥ | then / as a consequence |
| svadharmam | your own duty |
| kīrtim | fame / honor |
| ca | and |
| hitvā | abandoning / forsaking |
| pāpam | sin / evil |
| avāpsyasi | you shall incur / obtain |
But if you do not fight this righteous battle, then having abandoned your duty and honor, you shall incur sin.
Expanded Commentary:
After explaining the value of embracing righteous duty, Krishna now presents the consequence of inaction. If Arjuna refuses to participate in the battle, he will not just escape difficulty—he will fall into spiritual and moral degradation.
Krishna’s Key Message:
- Avoiding righteous duty (dharmyaṁ saṅgrāmam) is not neutrality—it is adharma (unrighteousness).
- Failing to act in alignment with one’s svadharma leads to dishonor and sin.
- Even inaction has karmic consequences when it results from fear, attachment, or delusion.
Symbolic Meaning:
| Term | Symbolizes |
|---|---|
| Dharmyam Saṅgrāmam | The ethical challenge one must face in life |
| Svadharma | One’s own true calling or role in the cosmic order |
| Kīrti | Spiritual honor, moral dignity, inner respect |
| Hitvā | Abandoning out of fear or weakness |
| Pāpam | The karmic debt incurred by forsaking responsibility |
Philosophical Insights:
- Inaction Can Be Sinful:
- Not doing your dharma is not neutrality—it becomes negative karma.
- Dharma must be performed even when it is difficult or painful.
- Abandonment of Honor:
- By refusing to fight for justice, Arjuna would lose his inner integrity and social standing.
- Such actions erode the soul’s strength.
- Duty is Sacred, Not Optional:
- One’s life purpose isn’t a personal choice—it’s a divine alignment with the cosmic plan.
- Running from it causes inner turmoil and external disgrace.
- Karma in Context:
- Karma is not just about doing wrong—it’s also about not doing right when you’re meant to.
Practical Application:
- Own Your Responsibilities: Even when scared or confused, honor what your soul knows is right.
- Recognize the Cost of Inaction: Avoiding truth or conflict may feel easier in the short term but leads to long-term regret.
- Courage Over Comfort: True dignity lies in facing your duty with courage, not hiding from it.
- Let Go of Attachment to Comfort: Sometimes, spiritual growth comes through engaging with difficulty, not retreating from it.
Reflection Questions:
Where in my life am I avoiding a necessary struggle?
Is fear holding me back from doing what I know is right?
Have I ever experienced guilt from not acting when I should have?
How can I embrace courageous responsibility in my personal or spiritual life?
Conclusion:
In this verse, Krishna offers a stern yet loving warning to Arjuna—and to all of us. Life often brings us to crossroads where not acting is not neutrality, but a form of moral failure. Especially when we are called to protect truth, justice, or love, turning away becomes a spiritual burden.
Krishna invites the seeker to rise above fear, confusion, and grief, and to act with integrity and alignment. In doing so, one preserves not just honor in the world, but peace within the soul.