Krishna warns Arjuna that if he refuses to fight this righteous war, he will incur sin for neglecting his duty and lose his reputation as a brave warrior. By abandoning his responsibility, Arjuna would be seen as cowardly and dishonorable. Krishna’s argument is aimed at rekindling Arjuna’s sense of duty and honor.

Krishna tells Arjuna that people will forever speak of his disgrace, and dishonor will be worse than death for someone who values respect. The prospect of living in shame, with a tarnished reputation, should be more fearsome than death. Krishna emphasizes the importance of maintaining honor, which resonates deeply with a warrior like Arjuna.

Krishna highlights that the great warriors who currently respect Arjuna will see him as cowardly if he retreats. His reputation will be tarnished, and he will be considered insignificant. This appeal to Arjuna’s pride and reputation serves to remind him of the value of respect in society and the need to fulfill his warrior duties.

Krishna assures Arjuna that regardless of the outcome—victory or defeat—he will benefit. If he dies, he will attain heaven, and if he wins, he will enjoy the earth. Either way, he gains something valuable. This argument is designed to remove Arjuna’s fear of failure and encourage him to embrace the battle with full determination.

Krishna advises Arjuna to approach the battle without attachment to success or failure, gain or loss, pleasure or pain. Such an attitude, focused on performing one’s duty without concern for the outcome, will lead to liberation from sin. This teaching introduces the concept of Nishkama Karma, or action without desire for results.

Krishna explains that the knowledge imparted thus far is based on Sankhya philosophy (analytical understanding), but now he will speak about Karma Yoga (the path of action). By understanding and applying this wisdom, one can free oneself from the bondage of actions. This serves as a bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical application.