This is a brief sub-gloss. For a fuller reading of this verse, see Madhusūdana, Śaṅkara, or Rāmānuja above.

People will also tell of your dishonour in the war, a lasting, long-lived dishonour. For one held in esteem for qualities such as being righteous and brave, dishonour is worse than death; for one so esteemed, death is better than dishonour. Further.

Not only the mere loss of unsurpassed happiness and fame: beings, capable and incapable alike, will tell of your undying ill fame, ill fame that spreads through all places and times, that Partha fled once the battle was begun. If it be asked what then, the answer is that for a man held in honour by all for his heroism, vigour, and prowess, the ill fame born of their opposite is worse than death. For ill fame of such a kind, death itself is the better thing for you. To the thought 'how would ill fame come to me, a hero who has withdrawn from battle out of love for kinsmen and out of pity?', the Lord here speaks.

This is a brief sub-gloss. For a fuller reading of this verse, see Madhusūdana, Śaṅkara, or Rāmānuja above.

Madhvacharya does not comment on this verse.