Krishna reiterates that the soul within all living entities is eternal and indestructible. He advises Arjuna not to grieve for any being. This teaching aims to provide Arjuna with a broader perspective on life and death, emphasizing the futility of lamenting over physical destruction when the true self remains untouched and eternal.

Krishna reminds Arjuna of his duty as a Kshatriya (warrior), which is to engage in battle to uphold righteousness. Refusing to fight would mean abandoning his duty and would result in sin. Krishna’s message is clear: a warrior should uphold his duty without attachment to victory or defeat, maintaining focus on the larger moral and social order.

Krishna points out that for a warrior like Arjuna, engaging in a righteous battle is a rare opportunity. Such a battle opens the gates of heaven and brings honor and glory to a warrior. This teaching is meant to motivate Arjuna by highlighting the spiritual benefits of fulfilling his duty, thereby reducing his reluctance and hesitation.

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 cautions Arjuna that his enemies will mock him with unkind words and insult his abilities. The humiliation from their scorn would be worse than facing them in battle. This statement is meant to evoke a sense of responsibility and to motivate Arjuna to fight, rather than bear the pain of being ridiculed by his opponents.