Which verse of the Bhagavad Gita says "If you don't fight for what you want, don't cry for what you lost?"

Question

I came across this quote in social media. It's supposedly said by Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. Which verse of the Gita conveys the same message as the quote?

Answer 1

There are many such "Made in Home" slokas doing rounds of internet (WhatsApp, Facebook,...) which are conveyed to others by labelling as "Said in Gita". Usually they retain some part from Gita to have relational authenticity, and remaining part is "creativity".

Only the bold part is true, italic is altered and remaining is hand made:

“If you don't fight for what you want, don't cry for what you lost?”

Here is the "inspiring" verse:

BG 2.33 -- अथ चैत्त्वमिमं धर्म्यं संग्रामं न करिष्यसि। ततः स्वधर्मं कीर्तिं च हित्वा पापमवाप्स्यसि।

On the other hand, if you will not fight this righteous battle, then forsaking your own duty and fame, you will incur sin.

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Note: Above translation is from Swami Gambhirananda, which suits somewhat to the said verse in the question. Usually his translations are found to be the closest among other translators. However, if we go by word by word Sanskrit then:

BG 2.33 -- Therefore, if you don't perform in this DhArmik (righteous, here) war, then by disregarding Swa-Dharma (own nature/duty, here) and fame, you will incur sin.

Answer 2

Which verse of the Bhagavad Gita says “If you don't fight for what you want, don't cry for what you lost?”

As far as I know there is no such verse in Bhagavad Gita which meant to say such message.

In Bhagavad Gita Krishna told Arjuna for fighting because Arjuna became overwhelmed, realize whether fighting is improper and lead to sin (1.36-46) confused about his duty:

कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः ।
यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ॥ २-७॥

Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of miserly weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me for certain what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me.

So, Krishna taught him:

अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे ।
गतासूनगतासूंश्च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः ॥ २-११॥

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: While speaking learned words, you are mourning for what is not worthy of grief. Those who are wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead.

He cleared Arjuna's confusion (verse started from 2.12):

देही नित्यमवध्योऽयं देहे सर्वस्य भारत ।
तस्मात्सर्वाणि भूतानि न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि ॥ २-३०॥

— O descendant of Bharata, he who dwells in the body can never be slain. Therefore you need not grieve for any living being.

And preach properly about Kshatriya Dharma:

स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि ।
धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते ॥ २-३१॥

Considering your specific duty as a kṣatriya, you should know that there is no better engagement for you than fighting on religious principles; and so there is no need for hesitation.

And make aware him with the reverse/side effect of not performing religious duty of fighting:

अथ चेत्त्वमिमं धर्म्यं सङ्ग्रामं न करिष्यसि ।
ततः स्वधर्मं कीर्तिं च हित्वा पापमवाप्स्यसि ॥ २-३३॥

If, however, you do not perform your religious duty of fighting, then you will certainly incur sins for neglecting your duties and thus lose your reputation as a fighter.

I think above verse may be interpreted wrongly that:

• "If you don't perform religious duty of fighting, you'll lose your reputation as fighter" - Proper interpretation
• "If you don't fight, you'll lose what you want"! - Improper interpretation^[1] which may leads to “If you don't fight for what you want, don't cry for what you lost?” - Wrong message

Hope this would clear the confusion and lead to original message of Bhagavad Gita.

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[1] Because Krishna clearly said [Verse 2.47 & 2.48] for abandoning all attachment to fruit of duty (success or failure). So, in the message (mentioned in question) the meaning of What you want! may violate the Krishna's teaching of Nishkama Karma and hence can be considered as improper interpretation.