Bhagavad Gita 2.36 · Krishna
The mockery that follows
अवाच्यवादांश्च बहून्वदिष्यन्ति तवाहिताः।
निन्दन्तस्तव सामर्थ्यं ततो दुःखतरं नु किम्॥
avācyavādāṃśca bahūnvadiṣyanti tavāhitāḥnindantastava sāmarthyaṃ tato duḥkhataraṃ nu kim
Your enemies will say many cruel things, mocking your strength. What could be more painful than that?
What it means
Krishna finishes his worldly argument. Those who wish Arjuna harm will mock him, belittle his skill, say things best left unsaid. What, Krishna asks, could be more painful? It's not the deepest teaching. It's a friend reminding Arjuna what retreat would really cost.
The story
Duryodhana's side has always been jealous of Arjuna's talent. If he walks away, they'll never let anyone forget it. Krishna knows Arjuna's pride, and gently uses it. In later chapters, he'll teach Arjuna to rise above pride itself.
In your life
Picture a young athlete who quits after one bad game and hears rivals laughing. Mockery stings. Let it remind you why you started, not drive your choices. Keep going for your reasons, not theirs.
Let your reasons be your own.