Stand up, either way

hato vā prāpsyasi svargaṃ jitvā vā bhokṣyase mahīmtasmāduttiṣṭha kaunteya yuddhāya kṛtaniścayaḥ

Fall, and you reach heaven. Win, and you enjoy the earth. So stand up, son of Kunti, resolved to fight.

What it means

Krishna finishes his argument from the warrior code. If Arjuna falls doing his duty, he reaches svarga, heaven. If he wins, he protects his people and their land. Either way, abandoning the field gains nothing. So, he says, uttishtha, stand up. Make your decision and act.

The story

This is the second time Krishna says stand up. The first was a rebuke. This one is an encouragement. Arjuna is still sitting in the chariot, bow on the floor. Krishna is trying to get him on his feet, inside and out.

In your life

Think of someone deciding whether to finally confront a landlord about dangerous repairs. If it works, the family is safer. If it doesn't, they'll know they tried. Either way, stand up for what's right.