And men will see it only as such, and will recite thy crime in terms of perpetual dishonor—and to such as thou, O Prince, the pangs of death are preferable to the reproach of such dishonor. The generals of the host will think that thou had fled from the field from a sense of cowardice and fear, and those who have thought so highly of thee until now, will hold thee in abhorrence and contempt. And even thine enemies will speak of thee in shameful terms, with many a jest and sneer at thy lack of strength and courage—what could be more painful than that, to such as thou art?

“If thou chance to be slain in the battle, the warrior’s heaven will be thy reward; if victorious thou wilt enjoy the glory of Earth, the joys of earth await thee. Therefore, O Prince of Pandu, arise and fight! Being willing to take whatever betideth thee—be it pleasure or pain; gain or loss; victory or defeat; being concerned only whether thou hast done thy best. For thus and thus alone shalt thou in action still be free from sin.”