हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम् |
तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चय: || 37||
hato vā prāpsyasi swargaṁ jitvā vā bhokṣhyase mahīm
tasmād uttiṣhṭha kaunteya yuddhāya kṛita-niśhchayaḥ
hataḥ—slain; vā—or; prāpsyasi—you will attain; swargam—celestial abodes; jitvā—by achieving victory; vā—or; bhokṣhyase—you shall enjoy; mahīm—the kingdom on earth; tasmāt—therefore; uttiṣhṭha—arise; kaunteya—Arjun, the son of Kunti; yuddhāya—for fight; kṛita-niśhchayaḥ—with determination
Translation:
If you are killed in the battle, you will go to heaven; if you win, you will enjoy the earth. Therefore arise, O son of Kunti, resolved to fight.
Commentary:
This verse is the life-breath for all, either they are worldly men or spiritual aspirants. Righteousness being the condition, the challenge of life should be met with courage and determination. This is a great Mantra. If one refers to this at all times when there is a loss of enthusiasm, energy, or courage in spiritual practice, he acquires indomitable will and courage. Just as the warrior obtains Heaven if killed, or enjoys the pleasures of the world if victorious, the spiritual aspirant would attain the highest Moksha if successful, and if not successful, he would ascend to higher realms of existence. The spiritual aspirant is constantly at war with Avidya, ignorance. But there is no fear for him, successful or otherwise. In both ways, a new vista of joy and glory is open to him. In the 6th Chapter, the Lord refers to the future of an aspirant whose body falls before the completion of his Sadhana. Such a man, the Lord says, goes to higher world and is reborn in families of wealth and spiritual development. Therefore the Lord exhorts everyone not to relax or be disheartened in the battle with Avidya, but continue his practice relentlessly till the final goal is reached.
Determined:- Till the goal is reached the seeker should not give up his practices. Such resolute spirit is necessary for the battle with the subtle force of Avidya. Maya is there waiting to bring down the seeker when he relaxes from his effort even for a moment.
Arise:- This is the watch-word of the Lord, the Maha Mantra of the Gita. The trumpet call is already given in the opening words of the Lord – Cast off the weakness and arise (“tyaktvottishtha Parantapa”). The same call is given to all humanity in the `Katha Upanishad’.
“Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.” Such an inspiring call is necessary to wake up the man from his painful sleep of ignorance and urge him to meet the challenge of life and face the thousand ills and shocks of life with the sword of knowledge and devotion.
Swami Vivekananda Says —
Disciple: Where shall I get the capital for the business?
Swamiji: I shall somehow give you a start; for the rest you must depend on your own exertions. “If you die, you get to heaven; and if you win, you enjoy the earth.” Even if you die in this attempt, well and good, many will take up the work, following your example. And if you succeed, you will live a life of great opulence.[Source]
