Gita : Ch-2. Slo-32.

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita :


Chapter-2. ( Samkya-yogam )


Slokam-32. ( Lord  persuades    Arjuna  :  O Partha, happy are the kshatriyas to whom such fighting opportunities come unsought, opening for them the doors of the heaven ( Swargham ).)



Yadrcchaya     copapannam    swarggadvaramapavrtam,


Sukhinah       kshatriyah     partha     labhante     yuddhamidrsam.




partha!  =   hey     Arjuna!

yadrcchaya   upapannam   =  by   its   own   accord,  arrived   at;

apavrtam    swarggadvaram   ca    =   wide   open  door  of  heaven;

idrsam   yuddham   =   like   this   war;

sukhinah   kshatriyah   labhante    =   available  to   very   lucky  kshatriyas   only.





The impending war is happening by itself, on its own, without any solicitation on the part of Arjuna. Thus when it happens he and his brothers will be fighting on the side of righteousness which constitutes the means for acquiring heavenly happiness without obstacles. Such a war can only be fought by the most fortunate of ksatriyas and Arjuna should understand his good fortune.


Normally one achieves well being after great effort whereas Arjuna is able to achieve it without any effort. This is indicated by the words yadrcchaya upapannam arrived at on its own accord. It is only the most fortunate among ksatriyas who get such unsolicited opportunities without effort. For a ksatriya who fights bravely war brings fame and opulence in this life and the next. By engaging in battle for a righteous cause exhibiting outstanding valour one's glory is guaranteed. But what happens to those who are slain? Here Lord Krishna confirms that for the valorous who fall in battle there is an open door directly to the heavenly planets the same as for the yogis who fall short of achieving liberation.


Moreover why should there be hesitation when such great good fortune has come unsolicited. Only those who are greatly fortunate get the opportunity to fight such a battle which has manifested unsought of its own accord which is verily a direct gateway to the heavenly spheres. Another interpretation can be that only those warriors who have the opportunity to fight such a battle are happy refuting Arjuna's earlier statement in chapter one, verse thrity-seven of how can one be happy by in slaying meaning slaying the warriors on the opposite side determined to slay him.


As supreme teacher of the world, Lord Krishna condemns the attitude of Arjuna who said, "I do not find any good in this fighting. It will cause perpetual habitation in hell." Such statements by Arjuna were due to ignorance only. He wanted to become nonviolent in the discharge of his specific duty. For a kshatriya to be in the battlefield and to become nonviolent is the philosophy of fools. In the Parasara-smrti or religious codes made by Parasara Mahrishi, the great sage and father of Vyasa Mahrishi, it is stated:


"The kshatriya's duty is to protect the citizens from all kinds of difficulties, and for that reason he has to apply violence in suitable cases for law and order. Therefore he has to conquer the soldiers of inimical kings, and thus, with religious principles ( Swadharmam ), he should rule over the world."


Considering all aspects, Arjuna had no reason to refrain from fighting. If he should conquer his enemies, he would enjoy the kingdom; and if he should die in the battle, he would be elevated to the heavenly planets whose doors were wide open to him. Fighting would be for his benefit in either case.

To be continued  ...