Bhagavad Gita 2.4
Sanskrit
कथं भीष्ममहं संख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन।
इषुभिः प्रतियोत्स्यामि पूजार्हावरिसूदन
Transliteration
kathaṁ bhīṣhmam ahaṁ sankhye droṇaṁ cha madhusūdana
iṣhubhiḥ pratiyotsyāmi pūjārhāvari-sūdana
Synonyms
gurūn: the superiors;
ahatvā: not killing;
hi: certainly;
mahā: anubhāvān — great souls;
śreyaḥ: it is better;
bhoktum: to enjoy life;
bhaikṣyam: by begging;
api: even;
iha: in this life;
loke: in this world;
hatvā: killing;
artha: gain;
kāmān: desiring;
tu: but;
gurūn: superiors;
iha: in this world;
eva: certainly;
bhuñjīya: one has to enjoy;
bhogān: enjoyable things;
rudhira: blood;
pradigdhān: tainted with .;
English Meaning
It would be better to live in this world by begging than to live at the cost of the lives of great souls who are my teachers. Even though desiring worldly gain, they are superiors. If they are killed, everything we enjoy will be tainted with blood.
Life Theme
Duty and Wisdom
Life Application
Focusing on doing one’s duty sincerely instead of worrying constantly about outcomes or recognition.