The Yoga of Knowledge

Krishna warns about the gap between intention and perception. Arjuna's actual reasons—compassion, moral confusion—won't be visible. Only his refusal to fight will be seen, and 'mahā-rathāḥ' (great warriors), the peers whose judgment matters in his world, will think 'bhayād uparatam' (withdrawn from fear). He'll go from 'bahu-mataḥ' (highly esteemed) to 'lāghavam' (disgrace)—not gradually but instantly. One choice, permanent consequence. Your internal reasons rarely reach others; your visible actions do. Fair? Maybe not. True? Yes.