In Bhagavad Gita 2.2, Krishna’s first words of teaching ask Arjuna where this faintness of heart has come from at such a crucial moment, calling it unworthy and dishonourable.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
कुतस्त्वा कश्मलमिदं
विषमे समुपस्थितम्
अनार्यजुष्टमस्वर्ग्यम्
अकीर्तिकरमर्जुन ॥ २-२ ॥
kutastvā kaśmalamidaṃ
viṣame samupasthitam
anāryajuṣṭamasvargyam
akīrtikaramarjuna
English transliteration kutastvaa kashmalamidam
vishame samupasthitam
anaaryajushtamasvargyam
akeertikaramarjuna ॥ 2.2 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The Blessed Lord said: From where has this weakness come upon you at this critical hour, O Arjuna? It is unworthy of a noble person; it does not lead to heaven and it brings disgrace.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| कुतः kutaḥ | from where |
| त्वा tvā | upon you |
| कश्मलम् kaśmalam | weakness, dejection |
| इदम् idam | this |
| विषमे viṣame | in this crisis |
| समुपस्थितम् samupasthitam | has come |
| अनार्यजुष्टम् anāryajuṣṭam | not befitting a noble person anārya (ignoble) + juṣṭam (practised by) |
| अस्वर्ग्यम् asvargyam | not leading to heaven |
| अकीर्तिकरम् akīrtikaram | causing disgrace akīrti (disgrace) + karam (causing) |
| अर्जुन arjuna | O Arjuna |
Word-wise Chanting
- ku–tas–tvā kaś–ma–la–mi–daṃ 8 syllables ku-tas-tvaa kash-ma-la-mi-dam
- vi–ṣa–me sa–mu–pas–thi–tam | 8 syllables vi-sha-me sa-mu-pas-thi-tam
- a–nār–ya–juṣ–ṭa–mas–var–gyam– 8 syllables a-naar-ya-jush-ta-mas-var-gyam-
- a–kīr–ti–ka–ra–mar–ju–na || 2-2 8 syllables a-keer-ti-ka-ra-mar-ju-na
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 2 Verse 2
Context
These are Krishna’s first words of teaching, spoken to Arjuna, who has just collapsed in grief (2.1).
Meaning
Krishna does not begin with comfort. He asks a sharp question: where has this kaśmala, this murky dejection, come from? He calls it unworthy of an ārya, a noble person, one who lives by high values. It leads neither to inner fulfilment nor to honour. The directness is not cruelty; it is the first jolt needed to wake Arjuna from a spell.
A good teacher knows when gentleness would only deepen confusion. Arjuna’s despair has dressed itself in the clothes of compassion and morality. Krishna’s first task is to show him that this mood is not wisdom but weakness. Before truth can be given, the false certainty of despair must be shaken.
In Practice
When you feel stuck in a heavy mood, ask yourself directly, as Krishna asks: “Where has this come from?” Trace it back to its real source.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.