Courage

Better is one's own duty, even if imperfectly performed, than the duty of another performed well. Death in one's own duty is better; the duty of another is fraught with danger.

Slain, you will attain heaven; victorious, you will enjoy the earth. Therefore rise, O son of Kunti, resolved to fight.

O Partha, fortunate are the warriors who encounter such a battle, coming on its own as an open gateway to heaven.

Do not yield to unmanliness, O Partha — it does not become you. Cast off this petty faintheartedness and rise, O scorcher of foes.

The Blessed Lord said: Arjuna, how has this despondency come upon you at this critical hour? It is unworthy of a noble person, it bars the way to heaven, and it brings only dishonour.

Valour, vigour, steadfastness, skill, and never fleeing from battle, generosity, and a natural air of lordship — these are the inherent duties of a kshatriya.

Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna, and the other warrior heroes — already slain by me, do you strike them down; do not be distressed. Fight, and you shall conquer your adversaries in battle.

Your enemies will say many unspeakable things, mocking your strength. What could be more painful than that?

The great warriors will think you have withdrawn from battle out of fear, and you who were once held in high esteem by them will be belittled.

And people will speak of your infamy forever; for one who has been honoured, dishonour is worse than death.

Sanjaya said: Seeing the Pandava army arrayed in battle formation, King Duryodhana then approached his teacher and spoke these words.

To lift his spirits, the glorious grandsire of the Kurus — the elder patriarch — let out a mighty lion's roar and blew his conch with great power.

Forgiveness, courage, non-violence, equanimity, truth, sincerity, knowledge, charity, and renunciation are said to be the characteristics of the path that arises from goodness.

The gods, with Brahma at their head, worship your benevolent self, O sinless one. You are everything. You are the creator of the gods and it was you who caused them to be created. Through your grace, the gods pass their time in joy and perfect fearlessness.

Here stand great warriors, mighty archers equal in combat to Bhima and Arjuna — Yuyudhana, Virata, and the great chariot-warrior Drupada.

The supreme archer, the king of Kashi, the great chariot-warrior Shikhandi, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and the unconquered Satyaki.

And many other brave warriors who have given up their lives for my sake, all armed with varied weapons, all skilled in the arts of war.

Yourself, Bhishma, Karna, and Kripa who is ever victorious in battle; Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and likewise the son of Somadatta.

The valiant Yudhamanyu, the mighty Uttamauja, the son of Subhadra, and the sons of Draupadi — all of them great chariot-warriors.

Courage and resilience are the wheels of this chariot. Honesty and good behavior are its guiding principles. Additionally, strength, discernment, self-control, and kindness are the horses that pull the chariot, all connected by the bonds of forgiveness, compassion, and a balanced mind.