Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.2
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
कुतस्त्वा कश्मलमिदं विषमे समुपस्थितम् । अनार्यजुष्टमस्वर्ग्यमकीर्तिकरमर्जुन ॥२॥
kutastvā kaśmalamidaṃ viṣame samupasthitam | anāryajuṣṭamasvargyamakīrtikaramarjuna ||2||
Complete Shloka Translation
The Lord said: Arjuna, where has this confusion come from at this crisis? It is unworthy of the noble, leads neither to heaven nor to honour.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कुतः | kutaḥ | from where / whence |
| त्वा | tvā | upon you |
| कश्मलम् | kaśmalam | this delusion / faint-heartedness |
| इदम् | idam | this |
| विषमे | viṣame | at this perilous hour of crisis |
| समुपस्थितम् | samupasthitam | arrived / come upon |
| अनार्य-जुष्टम् | anārya-juṣṭam | unworthy of noble persons |
| अस्वर्ग्यम् | asvargyam | not leading to heaven |
| अकीर्तिकरम् | akīrti-karam | bringing infamy / dishonor |
| अर्जुन | arjuna | O Arjuna |
from where / whence
upon you
this delusion / faint-heartedness
this
at this perilous hour of crisis
arrived / come upon
unworthy of noble persons
not leading to heaven
bringing infamy / dishonor
O Arjuna
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The rebuke is addressed to Arjuna's present crisis. The term anarya criticizes conduct here; it need not be read as a racial label.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Krishna challenges the understanding guiding Arjuna's withdrawal."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What deserves examination before you withdraw from a difficult situation?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse when facing identity crisis or fear of failure: distinguish the unchanging inner self from transient life situations, and act with full dedication without anxiety over the final outcome.