2.37 hato vā prāpsyasi svargaṁ (Original)

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Chapter 2

<< Chapter 2 verse 36

Simple

hato vā prāpsyasi svargaṁ
jitvā vā bhokṣyase mahīm
tasmād uttiṣṭha kaunteya
yuddhāya kṛta-niścayaḥ

‘Killed, thou wilt attain Svarga; conquering, thou wilt enjoy earth. Hence, arise, Kaunteya! resolving to fight.’[1. Cf. ‘Hato vā divam ārohet, hatvā vā kshitim āvaset’ (131-12, Āpad-dharma, Bhīshma: Parva, Mahā-Bhārata).]

If in a just warfare, thou art killed by others, thou will obtain superior bliss (Svarga), but if you killest others, thou will find thyself in the unrivalled enjoyment of earthly royalty.

A duty, like the war, discharged as duty, with no anticipation of fruit, will be the means by which thou will attain to supremest bliss. Making thyself sure therefore that embarking on warfare is the means for winning moksha (final liberation) – which is the goal ne plus ultra of man’s aspiration – prepare thyself for it (war).

Kaunteya: Such conduct, indeed, behoves the son of Kunti.

How the moksha (salvation)-aspirer should go to war is explained:

>> Chapter 2 verse 38

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