Verse 2
Śrī-bhagavān uvāca
Kutastvā kaśmalam idaṁ viṣame samupasthitam
Anārya-juṣṭam asvargyam akīrti-karam Arjuna
Word-by-Word Meaning:
- Śrībhagavān uvāca — The Blessed Lord said
- Kutaḥ — From where
- Tvā — To you
- Kaśmalam — Impurity / Dejection / Delusion
- Idam — This
- Viṣame — In this critical moment / at this crisis
- Samupasthitam — Has arrived / come upon you
- Anārya-juṣṭam — Not followed by noble men / unworthy of Aryans
- Asvargyam — Not leading to heaven / spiritual elevation
- Akīrti-karam — Leading to disgrace / infamy
- Arjuna — O Arjuna
The Blessed Lord said: From where has this delusion come upon you in this critical hour, Arjuna? It is not befitting a noble soul, does not lead to higher worlds, and brings only disgrace.
Expanded Meaning:
This is Krishna’s first direct speech in the Gita. The tone is not soft or comforting—rather, it is sharp, corrective, and awakening. Krishna calls out Arjuna’s despair not as noble or spiritual but as kaśmalam — a spiritual impurity or moral weakness.
Krishna challenges Arjuna to rise above his emotional breakdown and re-align with dharma — righteous action.
Contextual Analysis:
- Kaśmalam — Inner Impurity / Weakness of Heart
Krishna does not glorify Arjuna’s sadness. He sees it as mental pollution, which clouds judgment and dharma. It’s not compassion, but confusion born of attachment and fear. - Viṣame — At This Crucial Moment
Krishna questions why now, at this pivotal battlefield moment, Arjuna is breaking down. It shows the gravity of timing — some moments demand clarity and courage, not collapse. - Anārya-juṣṭam — Unworthy of Aryans
“Ārya” here means one who lives nobly, with inner strength and commitment to truth. Krishna says this despair is not befitting a true seeker or warrior. - Asvargyam — Does Not Lead to Heaven
Such weakness will not lead Arjuna to spiritual growth, glory, or heavenly worlds — it only delays liberation. - Akīrti-karam — Brings Dishonor
For a Kshatriya, dishonor is worse than death. Krishna warns that inaction here is not noble renunciation, but infamy.
Philosophical Interpretation:
- Tough Love of the Divine
Krishna does not console Arjuna with soft words; instead, he uses spiritual shock therapy. True love from the Divine often appears as a challenge that compels us to grow. - Dharma vs Emotion
Arjuna mistakes emotion for compassion. Krishna clarifies: compassion that paralyzes duty is not sattvic but tamasic — born of darkness. - True Ārya Nature
The verse distinguishes between birth-based nobility and action-based nobility. Arya is one who acts with clarity, courage, and spiritual alignment — not merely someone born into a noble family. - Renunciation Must Be Ripe
Krishna hints that Arjuna’s withdrawal is premature. True renunciation arises from inner mastery, not fear or delusion.
Spiritual Symbolism:
| Symbol | Inner Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kaśmalam | Mental clouding, spiritual delusion, emotional impurity |
| Viṣame samupasthitam | Crisis point in life where decisions define destiny |
| Anārya-juṣṭam | Actions unworthy of an awakened or aspiring soul |
| Asvargyam | Acts that degrade spiritual progress and cut off higher possibilities |
| Akīrti-karam | Karma that leads to loss of honor, self-respect, and divine alignment |
Modern-Day Relevance:
- How often do we hide from action in the name of spiritual escape, calling it “peace” or “detachment,” when in fact it is fear or indecision?
- This verse speaks directly to moments when we feel paralyzed by emotion or overthinking — reminding us that clarity is greater than confusion, even if confusion wears the mask of virtue.
- In today’s world, giving up on responsibility is often rationalized as “self-care” or “non-violence.” Krishna reminds us: true spiritual maturity involves taking dharmic action even when it’s uncomfortable.
Reflection Questions:
What is your personal “kaśmalam” — the mental impurity that blocks your duty?
When you face a crisis, do you respond like a warrior or with defeatism?
Do your actions reflect the nobility of an Ārya — a seeker of truth and responsibility?
Can you identify situations where emotion disguised itself as virtue in your life?
Conclusion:
Krishna, in this electrifying first utterance, shakes Arjuna out of his emotional paralysis. This is not a moment for tears — it is a moment for truth.
The message is clear: emotions are not the enemy, but emotion that obstructs action is.
True spirituality does not lie in avoiding life, but in meeting it head-on, with dharma as the guiding compass.
Krishna, the inner voice of wisdom, calls each of us:
“O seeker, why this despair in the face of your greatest test? Rise! This is not your nature.”