Knowledge - 02 - 02

The Shloka

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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

कुतस्त्वा कश्मलमिदं विषमे समुपस्थितम् ।

अनार्यजुष्टमस्वर्ग्यमकीर्तिकरमर्जुन ॥

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Śrībhagavānuvāca ।

Kutas tvā kaśmalam idaṁ viṣame samupasthitam ।

Anāryajuṣṭam asvargyam akīrtikaram arjuna ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka marks the beginning of Lord Krishna’s direct instruction to Arjuna, setting the stage for the entire Bhagavad Gita. It is a powerful rebuke, challenging Arjuna’s sudden fit of weakness and despondency. Krishna immediately addresses Arjuna’s emotional state, calling it ‘impurity’ and ‘unbecoming of a noble person’ to highlight that such sentiments at the hour of duty are not only inappropriate but also spiritually detrimental. The significance lies in Krishna’s unwavering stance on performing one’s prescribed duty (dharma) without attachment to results, even when faced with extreme emotional challenges. It emphasizes that a warrior’s duty is paramount, and abandoning it for personal sentiments leads to dishonor and spiritual degradation.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, how has this dejection and impurity come upon you at such a critical moment? It is not befitting a noble person, nor does it lead to higher realms, nor does it bring honor.

Lord Krishna questions Arjuna’s sudden weakness and dejection on the battlefield, pointing out that such faint-heartedness is unbefitting a noble warrior, will not lead to spiritual elevation, and will only result in disgrace.

This verse opens the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita with Lord Krishna’s response to Arjuna’s lament. Arjuna had just expressed his deep sorrow and reluctance to fight his own kinsmen and revered teachers, feeling overwhelmed by grief and compassion. Krishna’s immediate reaction is one of surprise and sharp reproof. He questions the source of Arjuna’s ‘kashmalam’ (impurity, dejection, delusion) at the most critical juncture – the very beginning of a righteous war. Krishna explicitly states that this weakness is ‘anāryajuṣṭam’ (not practiced by noble persons), indicating that a true warrior, especially one of Arjuna’s caliber and lineage, should not succumb to such sentiments. Furthermore, he warns that this act of cowardice (‘asvargyam’) will not earn him heavenly rewards, which are traditionally believed to be the fruit of performing one’s duty righteously. Finally, Krishna reminds Arjuna that abandoning his duty would bring him ‘akīrtikaram’ (dishonor and infamy), staining his otherwise glorious reputation as a peerless archer and warrior. This verse sets the stage for Krishna to systematically dismantle Arjuna’s emotional and intellectual confusion, leading him towards the path of dharma and spiritual wisdom.

Sentence - 1

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श्रीभगवानुवाच

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Meaning

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said:

Meaning of Words

श्रीभगवान्	Śrībhagavān
The Supreme Personality of Godhead This refers to Lord Krishna. ‘Shri’ is an honorific prefix, indicating reverence and auspiciousness. ‘Bhagavan’ is a Sanskrit term for God, literally meaning ‘one who possesses all opulences’, referring to someone who has all wealth, strength, fame, beauty, knowledge, and renunciation in full. In the context of the Bhagavad Gita, it unequivocally refers to Krishna, emphasizing His divine authority and supreme position.
उवाच	uvāca	said

Sentence - 2

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कुतस्त्वा कश्मलमिदं विषमे समुपस्थितम्

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Meaning

My dear Arjuna, how has this dejection, this impurity, come upon you at such a critical juncture?

Meaning of Words

कुतः	kutaḥ
from where, how This expresses Krishna’s surprise and incredulity. He is questioning the origin of Arjuna’s sudden despondency, implying it is out of character and unexpected.
त्वा	tvā
to you Indicates that the state of mind, the ‘kashmalam’, has come specifically upon Arjuna.
कश्मलम्	kaśmalam
dejection, weakness, impurity Refers to a state of mental confusion, faint-heartedness, sorrow, or delusion. It signifies a weakening of resolve and a sense of impurity that clouds one’s judgment, especially in the face of duty. Arjuna’s distress upon seeing his relatives and teachers in the opposing army leads him to this state of emotional turmoil.
इदम्	idam	this
विषमे	viṣame
in this difficult situation, in crisis Literally means ‘uneven’ or ‘unequal’, implying a difficult, adverse, or critical situation. Here, it refers to the battlefield of Kurukshetra, specifically at the very moment when the war is about to begin, a time demanding unwavering resolve and courage, not despair.
समुपस्थितम्	samupasthitam
has come upon, arisen Indicates that this state of dejection has presented itself or arisen within Arjuna.

Sentence - 3

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अनार्यजुष्टमस्वर्ग्यमकीर्तिकरमर्जुन

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Meaning

It is not befitting a noble person, nor does it lead to heaven, nor does it bring honor, O Arjuna.

Meaning of Words

अनार्यजुष्टम्	anāryajuṣṭam
not practiced by noble persons, unbecoming of an Arya ‘Arya’ refers to a noble, civilized, and honorable person who adheres to dharma (righteous conduct) and moral principles. ‘Anāryajuṣṭam’ therefore means ‘not befitting an Arya’ or ‘unbecoming of a noble person.’ Krishna is highlighting that Arjuna’s weakness is contrary to the conduct expected of a warrior and a virtuous individual.
अस्वर्ग्यम्	asvargyam
not leading to heaven, not conducive to higher realms ‘Svarga’ refers to heavenly planets or higher realms, often associated with rewards for virtuous deeds performed on Earth. ‘Asvargyam’ means ‘not conducive to heaven.’ By abandoning his duty (dharma) as a Kshatriya (warrior) and displaying cowardice, Arjuna would not attain the spiritual merit that leads to such higher abodes.
अकीर्तिकरम्	akīrtikaram
disgraceful, causing infamy, bringing dishonor ‘Kīrti’ means fame, glory, or honor. ‘Akīrtikaram’ means ‘that which causes infamy’ or ‘brings dishonor.’ As a renowned warrior and a prince, Arjuna’s retreat from battle would result in widespread disgrace and tarnish his reputation, not just for himself but for his entire lineage.
अर्जुन	Arjuna
O Arjuna Arjuna is the third of the Pandava brothers, a central figure in the Mahabharata and the recipient of Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita. His name literally means ‘bright,’ ‘shining,’ or ‘white,’ symbolizing his purity of heart, clarity of mind, and unblemished character as a warrior. Krishna addresses him by name to emphasize the personal nature of His rebuke and instruction, highlighting the uncharacteristic nature of Arjuna’s despondency.

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