Bhagavad-Gita: Chapter 2, Verse 37

Rudra Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Visnuswami

Sridhara Swami's Commentary

The previous statement given by Arjuna in Chapter 2, verse six, about his concern of not knowing which is better: to conquer the enemy or be conquered by the enemy, is now being

clarified by the Supreme Lords instruction in this verse, that by either conquering he will win dominion of the earth or by being conquered he will directly attain the heavenly spheres.

Brahma Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Madhvacarya

Madhvacarya's Commentary

If slain in battle while fighting bravely a ksatriya will certainly attain the heavenly spheres. It is also stated in the Vedic scriptures that if a ksatriya is victorious in battle what will be gained is dominion of the Earth and at the end of the life the heavenly spheres are guaranteed as well. Thus those who fight bravely in battle and are undefeated acquire more merit than those who are defeated.

Sri Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Ramanuja

Ramanuja's Commentary

If in fighting for righteousness Arjuna is slain in the battle then he will attain superior bliss in the heavenly spheres; but if he is victorious in battle by the slaying the miscreants then he will find himself in the position of unrivalled enjoyment and rulership of earthly royalty. Dividing and conquering, defending and ruling are the natural duties of ksatriya royalty. Discharging these duties with no anticipation for the fruits of the results will be the means by which Arjuna attains unparalleled bliss. So Arjuna should properly prepare his mind for war by fortifying himself with the firm conviction that embarking on the course of a righteous war is the guaranteed means for him to achieve moksa or final salvation which means precisely the embodied soul becoming eternally liberated from the fetters of material existence and which is without a doubt the great hurdle to be overcome in human existence. Arjuna is called here Kaunteya to remind him that such conduct is indeed representative as a son of the great devotee Queen Kunti. Next will be revealed the apropos mentality of a living entity aspiring for salvation.

Kumara Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Nimbaditya

Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary

So in order to protect both the Earth and the heavenly realms it is better for a mighty warrior to face his enemies and fight. This Lord Krishna emphasises with the word hata meaning slain showing that slain or not slain there is benefit in both. So by this Arjunas previous doubt of not knowing what is better to slay or be slain and will they have victory or not are eradicated as both conclusions give benefit. So Arjuna should rise up and fight.