31-38 is Karma Kanda (that is the first application of atma jana)
And in next verse Krishna will talk about Kirti so remember Krishna has not taken things to spiritual level so he will now talk a lot about Kirti, Krishna is not talking here at the level of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Amani Na Man Dena he is talking about Kshetriya in their language if you lose your fame also, so how he will lose his fame is talked about in next verse.
BG 2.34
sambhavitasya cakirtir
maranad atiricyate
SYNONYMS
akirtim — infamy; ca — also; api — over and above; bhutani — all people; kathayishyanti — will speak; te — of you; avyayam — forever; sambhavitasya — for a respectable man; ca — also; akirtih — ill fame; maranat — than death; atiricyate — becomes more.
TRANSLATION
People will always speak of your infamy, and for a respectable person, dishonor is worse than death.
So akirtim capi bhutani, the word comes in previous verse Kirti is fame akirti is infamy.
So people will speak of ‘vyaya for a long time to come. In this world, infamy lingers because many people enjoy gossiping about others’ actions. It continues endlessly. It is important to note that Krishna is not endorsing or recommending this behavior but rather informing about a universal pattern of human behavior. It is observed that such stories are excessively published in certain cheap media outlets, catering to people’s baser instincts. With the advent of the internet, this trend has further increased. However, it is essential to understand that these are general tendencies. Krishna advises Arjuna that if he acts in a manner not approved by society, people will undoubtedly gossip about it.
As devotees, we are not primarily concerned about our own reputation but rather about the reputation of sharing Krishna’s message. If a preacher acquires a bad reputation or if their character is flawed (or even if it is not flawed but somehow they gain a negative reputation), their ability to effectively share the spiritual message gets impeded. People are more likely to trust individuals who possess a good reputation, and it is through this trust that such profound spiritual messages are shared. Gossip erodes our faith, so it is advisable for us to avoid hearing or engaging in gossip. However, it is a universal human tendency to indulge in gossip, although it is not a recommended trait; rather, it is considered part of our lower nature.
From a preacher’s perspective, it is equally important not to act in a way that brings infamy upon oneself.
sambhavitasya cakirtir
maranad atiricyate
As Krishna states, for a person who is honored, dishonor is worse than death. Harsh words have a profound impact, breaking hearts much deeper than physical wounds. It is worth noting that emotional pain, rather than physical pain, is often the cause of suicide. When dishonor spreads beyond personal encounters and permeates society, it becomes even more challenging to deal with. Therefore, Krishna warns Arjuna that he, too, may face such dishonor.
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