A core teaching · inspiring in mood · easy to enter
“Right action can feel hard and still be the best choice.”
Considering your own duty, you should not waver. For a warrior, no action is more beneficial than a righteous battle.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallyone's own duty · even · and · considering · not · to waver · you should · from righteous · indeed · from battle · more beneficial · other · for a warrior · not · there is
Arjuna is told not to hesitate once he sees his own duty clearly. For a warrior, fighting for what is right is the best course.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Sankhya Yoga" (The Yoga of Knowledge).
Verse 31 sits in Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita — Sankhya Yoga, "The Yoga of Knowledge". The chapter has 72 verses in total.
A government doctor posted to a district hospital during an outbreak may want to apply for leave. Krishna's point to Arjuna is that his own duty is clear, so he should not waver now.
Did you like this verse?
Krishna turns to Arjuna's own duty: for a warrior, nothing serves better than a righteous battle.
What this verse means
Arjuna is told not to hesitate once he sees his own duty clearly. For a warrior, fighting for what is right is the best course.
Context & commentary
Arjuna has dropped into doubt while the armies wait. Krishna answers the paralysis directly: for a warrior, righteous battle is the clearest expression of morality.
What it looks like today
A government doctor posted to a district hospital during an outbreak may want to apply for leave. Krishna's point to Arjuna is that his own duty is clear, so he should not waver now.
“Clarity can end inner conflict. Once duty is seen, wavering becomes unnecessary.”
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses)