Bhagavad Gita · Verse 2.3
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते । क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप ॥३॥
klaibyaṃ mā sma gamaḥ pārtha naitattvayyupapadyate | kṣudraṃ hṛdayadaurbalyaṃ tyaktvottiṣṭha parantapa ||3||
Complete Shloka Translation
Partha, do not yield to faintheartedness; it does not befit you. Abandon this petty weakness of heart and rise, scorcher of foes.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| क्लैब्यम् | klaibyam | unmanliness / impotence |
| मा स्म गमः | mā sma gamaḥ | do not yield to |
| पार्थ | pārtha | O son of Pritha (Arjuna) |
| न | na | not |
| एतत् | etat | this |
| त्वयि | tvayi | in you |
| उपपद्यते | upapadyate | is befitting / suitable |
| क्षुद्रम् | kṣudram | petty / mean |
| हृदय-दौर्बल्यम् | hṛdaya-daurbalyam | weakness of heart |
| त्यक्त्वा | tyaktvā | having cast aside |
| उत्तिष्ठ | uttiṣṭha | arise! |
| परन्तप | parantapa | O chastiser of foes |
unmanliness / impotence
do not yield to
O son of Pritha (Arjuna)
not
this
in you
is befitting / suitable
petty / mean
weakness of heart
having cast aside
arise!
O chastiser of foes
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The forceful language belongs to the warrior dialogue. Its emphasis is recovery of resolve, not a general judgment on vulnerability or gender.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Arjuna is called to recover the capacity to face his responsibility."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What could help you recover resolve without dismissing your feelings?
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.