The opinions of his peers, the mighty chariot warriors regarding Arjuna's failure to execute his duty as a ksatriya are presented in this verse.

Whereas Arjuna had been know as a mighty warrior and renown hero, a worthy opponent for any of the valiant warriors of the Kauravas such as Karna, Duryodhana etc. If Arjuna were to retire from the fight on the eve of battle they would all consider him a coward and they immediately would assume that Arjuna had abstained from battle due to feeling dread at their prowess. For Arjuna to think that he would be vindicated by his abstention from battle by motives of fraternity and familial ties would be wrong for these sentiments are not considered sanctions for heroes towards belligerents.

Lord Krishna speaks this verse in the event that Arjuna might still insist in giving the reason for not fighting as compassion for relatives and as such he would rationalise that there is no censure or infamy. If Arjuna were to refrain from fighting the Kauravas, who everyone present knows tried to kill the five Pandavas in various ways like by poison and by fire and then unsuccessful in their attempts tried to steal their kingdom and put them in exile to the forest for 13 years, the same Arjuna who went to the heavenly planets and exhibited extraordinary prowess and valour pleasing his father Indra, king of the celestials. The same Arjuna who Arjuna who pleasing Mahadeva Shiva received his mercy and a boon from him. The same Arjuna whose weapons are more powerful than Bhishmas which were invincible against avatar Parasurama. The same Arjuna who arriving on this present battlefield made the oath "I will defeat all my enemies!" The same Arjuna who so famous for his innumerable exploits, various weapons, valour, spirit and excellence, whom all the mighty warriors on the opposing side are extremely joyous and eager to fight with. The same warriors who Arjuna has instructed Lord Krishna to place his mighty chariot in front of between the two armies and now is stationed by Lord Krishna for all to witness. Arjuna would belittle himself in front of all the mighty warriors headed by Bhishma, Drona and Karna if with his weapons dropped and eyes full of tears he was to leave the battlefield exhibiting grief and all the warriors on both sides would think he left the war out of fear. Where there is no fear a ksatriya never refuses to engage in battle.