Bhagavad-Gita: Chapter 2, Verse 36

Rudra Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Visnuswami

Sridhara Swami's Commentary

The condemnations from his enemies regarding Arjuna's failure to execute his duty as a ksatriya are presented in this verse.

Brahma Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Madhvacarya
There is no commentary for this verse.

Sri Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Ramanuja

Ramanuja's Commentary

Those antagonists, those belligerent Kauravas will be deriding Arjuna to no end declaring how could Arjuna even think he had the courage to fight against the might of such warriors as we? Others would declare that Arjunas boasts are not to be heard in their presence and other such deprecations like this. He would be the butt of coarse jokes from young and old. Thus would they be freely referring to him in a most degrading and insultingly and abusing manner too much for a ksatriya hero to be able to endure. What pain could be greater than this for him? Surely even death in battle is better than having ones noble reputation detracted. Hence the next verse instructs that for a hero, either course is beneficent: to slay ones enemies fighting bravely in battle or be slain by ones enemies fighting bravely in battle.

Kumara Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Nimbaditya

Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary

Not only would Arjunas estimation wane in the assembly of mighty warriors but here Lord Krishna uses the word nindantah meaning to vilify. Arjunas enemies such as Duryodhana would say many unbecoming things about him such as: Look at the impotent Arjuna fleeing the battlefield like a dog with its tail between its legs and Karna would smirkingly add that although Arjuna was very valiant in the past now fearing our might he has become feeble-hearted and so he expeditiously leaves the battlefield like a coward to save his own life. Lord Krishna asks Arjuna what can be more painful than this?