2.33 On the other hand, if you will not fight this righteous battle, then, forsaking your own duty and fame, you will incur sin.

2.33 But if you do not fight this righteous war, you will be turning away from your duty and honoured position, and will be incurring sin.

।।2.33।। अब अगर तू यह धर्ममय युद्ध नहीं करेगा,  तो अपने धर्म और कीर्तिका त्याग करके पापको प्राप्त होगा।

2.33।। व्याख्या--'अथ चेत्त्वमिमं ৷৷. पापमवाप्स्यसि'-- यहाँ  'अथ' अव्यय पक्षान्तरमें आया है और  'चेत्'  अव्यय सम्भावनाके अर्थमें आया है। इनका तात्पर्य है कि यद्यपि तू युद्धके बिना रह नहीं सकेगा, अपने क्षात्र स्वभावके परवश हुआ तू युद्ध करेगा ही (गीता 18। 60), तथापि अगर ऐसा मान लें कि तू युद्ध नहीं करेगा, तो तेरे द्वारा क्षात्रधर्मका त्याग हो जायगा। क्षात्रधर्मका त्याग होनेसे तुझे पाप लगेगा और तेरी कीर्तिका भी नाश होगा।  आप-से-आप प्राप्त हुए धर्मरूप कर्तव्यका त्याग करके तू क्या करेगा? अपने धर्मका त्याग करनेसे तुझे परधर्म स्वीकार करना पड़ेगा, जिससे तुझे पाप लगेगा। युद्धका त्याग करनेसे दूसरे लोग ऐसा मानेंगे कि अर्जुन-जैसा शूरवीर भी मरनेसे भयभीत हो गया ! इससे तेरी कीर्तिका नाश होगा।

If, however, you do not perform your religious duty of fighting, then you will certainly incur sins for neglecting your duties and thus lose your reputation as a fighter.

Arjuna was a famous fighter, and he attained fame by fighting many great demigods, including even Lord Śiva. After fighting and defeating Lord Śiva in the dress of a hunter, Arjuna pleased the lord and received as a reward a weapon called pāśupata-astra. Everyone knew that he was a great warrior. Even Droṇācārya gave him benedictions and awarded him the special weapon by which he could kill even his teacher. So he was credited with so many military certificates from many authorities, including his adoptive father Indra, the heavenly king. But if he abandoned the battle, not only would he neglect his specific duty as a kṣatriya, but he would lose all his fame and good name and thus prepare his royal road to hell. In other words, he would go to hell not by fighting but by withdrawing from battle.