Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2, Verse 2
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Contents
Chapter 2, Verse 2
श्रीभगवानुवाच |
कुतस्त्वा कश्मलमिदं विषमे समुपस्थितम् |
अनार्यजुष्टमस्वर्ग्यमकीर्तिकरमर्जुन || 2.2 ||
śhrī bhagavān uvācha
kutastvā kaśhmalamidaṁ viṣhame samupasthitam
anārya-juṣhṭamaswargyam akīrti-karam arjuna
भावार्थ:
श्रीभगवान बोले- हे अर्जुन! तुझे इस असमय में यह मोह किस हेतु से प्राप्त हुआ? क्योंकि न तो यह श्रेष्ठ पुरुषों द्वारा आचरित है, न स्वर्ग को देने वाला है और न कीर्ति को करने वाला ही है॥2॥
Translation
The Supreme Lord said: My dear Arjun, how has this delusion overcome you in this hour of peril? It is not befitting an honorable person. It leads not to the higher abodes, but to disgrace.
2_.2 कुतः whence? त्वा upon thee? कश्मलम् dejection? इदम् this? विषमे in perilous strait? समुपस्थितम् comes? अनार्यजुष्टम् unworthy (unaryanlike)? अस्वर्ग्यम् heavenexcluding? अकीर्तिकरम् disgraceful? अर्जुन O Arjuna._
Explanation in English:
Krishna responds to Arjuna’s sorrow and hesitation not with pity, but with stern encouragement.
He asks Arjuna how such cowardice or confusion has arisen in such a crucial moment, on the battlefield, where duty (dharma) must be upheld.
Krishna criticises this attitude on three grounds:
- Anārya-juṣṭam – It is unworthy of a noble man (Arya). A true noble soul acts with strength and wisdom, not weakness or emotional breakdown.
- Asvargyam – It will not lead to heaven or spiritual progress. Avoiding one’s righteous duty out of fear or sorrow has no merit.
- Akīrti-karam – It will lead to disgrace. Arjuna, a great warrior, would be ridiculed if he turned away now.
📖 Related: Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 7, Verse 26
Key Takeaway:
Krishna begins his teachings by challenging Arjuna’s despair, reminding him that emotional weakness in the face of duty is unbecoming of a warrior and a noble soul. It’s the first push towards rising above personal emotion for a higher purpose — the essence of karma yoga (yoga of action).