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TEXT 33 atha cet tvam imam dharmyam
SYNONYMS  atha--therefore;
cet--if;
tvam--you; imam--this; dharmyam--religious duty; sangramam--fighting;
na--do not; karisyasi--perform;
tatah--then; sva-dharmam--your
religious duty; kirtim--reputation;
ca--also; hitva--losing;
papam--sinful reaction; avapsyasi--do gain.
TRANSLATION If, however,
you do not fight this religious war, then you will certainly incur sins
for neglecting your duties and thus lose your reputation as a fighter.
PURPORT Arjuna was a
famous fighter, and he attained fame by fighting many great demigods, including
even Lord Siva. After fighting and defeating Lord Siva in the dress of
a hunter, Arjuna pleased the lord and received as a reward a weapon called
pasupata-astra.
Everyone knew that he was a great warrior. Even Dronacarya gave him benedictions
and awarded him the special weapon by which he could kill even his teacher.
So he was credited with so many military certificates from many authorities,
including his adopted father Indra, the heavenly king. But if he abandoned
the battle, he would not only neglect his specific duty as a ksatriya,
but he would lose all his fame and good name and thus prepare his royal
road to hell. In other words, he would go to hell, not by fighting, but
by withdrawing from battle.
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