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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 34 (2.34)

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 34 (2.34)

अकीर्तिं चापि भूतानि कथयिष्यन्ति तेऽव्ययाम् । सम्भावितस्य चाकीर्तिर्मरणादतिरिच्यते | | २-३४ | |

akīrtiṁ chāpi bhūtāni kathayiṣhyanti te’vyayām sambhāvitasya chākīrtirmaraṇādatirichyate

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • अइइ (Akirtim) — अपयश(dishonor)
  • c joined in chāpi
  • अपि (api) — भी(also)
  • भूतानि (bhutani) — प्राणी(people will speak)
  • कथइयइ (kathayishyanti) — कथइयइ(people will speak)
  • ते (te) — तुम्हें(of you as lasting)
  • अव्ययम् (avyayam) — अविनाशी(of you as lasting)
Line 2:
  • सभइतय (sambhavitasya) — सभइतय(for one who has been respected)
  • c joined in chākīrtirmaraṇādatirichyate
  • अइइ (akirtih) — अपयश(disgrace)
  • मरन (maranat) — मृत्यु(is worse than death)
  • अइइयए (atirichyate) — मृत्यु(is worse than death)

English: People will speak of his lasting dishonor, and for one who has been respected, dishonor is worse than death.

💡 Commentary Note

For a noble person who has lived a life of integrity, losing their character and reputation is worse than physical death. This verse highlights the importance of living in alignment with one's ideals.

Learnings from Shloka 34:
  • Value of reputation:: Integrity and respect, once lost, are extremely difficult to rebuild.
  • Live honorably:: Align your actions with your values to avoid the long-term pain of self-betrayal and dishonor.

Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz

Practice this shloka vocabulary

Match Sanskrit words from shloka 2.34 with their Hindi and English meanings.

Practice vocabulary