Chapter II · Śloka 37
हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम् |
तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः ||
तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः ||
hato vā prāpsyasi svargaṃ jitvā vā bhokṣyase mahīm |
tasmād uttiṣṭha kaunteya yuddhāya kṛta-niścayaḥ ||
tasmād uttiṣṭha kaunteya yuddhāya kṛta-niścayaḥ ||
O son of Kunti, either you will be killed on the battlefield and attain the heavenly planets, or you will conquer and enjoy the earthly kingdom. Therefore, get up with determination and fight.
A perfect either-or: death brings heaven, victory brings the kingdom. Neither outcome is a loss. When both possible results are favorable, indecision is not caution — it is self-deception. The call is to rise with resolved determination.