Mistaking love for fear

bhayādraṇāduparataṃ maṃsyante tvāṃ mahārathāḥyeṣāṃ ca tvaṃ bahumato bhūtvā yāsyasi lāghavam

The great warriors will think you fled the battle out of fear. Those who respected you will think you small.

What it means

Krishna points out how this will look. Arjuna is stepping back out of love and grief. But the great warriors watching won't see that. They'll see fear. Those who admired him will lose respect. The world often judges actions without seeing their reasons.

The story

It's a painful irony. Arjuna, who fought gods and never feared death, would be remembered as a coward. Krishna isn't saying Arjuna is afraid. He's showing how easily good motives get lost when we abandon what's ours to do.

In your life

Think of someone who skips a friend's big event to avoid an awkward ex, and the friend feels abandoned. Your reasons may be good, but others only see your absence. When you step back, explain why.