After Sanjaya set the scene of Arjuna’s complete surrender to grief, the divine silence is broken. The very first words spoken by Lord Krishna are found in the Kutastva Kashmalam Idam verse, and they are not the gentle words of consolation a friend might expect. Instead, Krishna delivers a sharp, powerful, and psychologically profound rebuke. This verse is designed to act like a spiritual thunderclap, shaking Arjuna out of the darkness of his self-pity and preparing him for the monumental wisdom that is about to unfold.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच
कुतस्त्वा कश्मलमिदं विषमे समुपस्थितम् ।
अनार्यजुष्टमस्वर्ग्यमकीर्तिकरमर्जुन ॥ २ ॥Transliteration
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
kutas tvā kaśmalam idaṁ viṣame samupasthitam
anārya-juṣṭam asvargyam akīrti-karam arjunaWord for Word Translation
śrī-bhagavān uvāca – the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; kutaḥ – from where; tvā – unto you; kaśmalam – impurity/weakness; idam – this; viṣame – in this critical hour; samupasthitam – has come upon you; anārya – by men who are not noble; juṣṭam – practiced; asvargyam – which does not lead to heaven; akīrti-karam – which causes infamy; arjuna – O Arjuna.
English Translation
The Supreme Lord said: My dear Arjuna, how has this weakness come upon you at this critical moment? This is not at all befitting a noble person (Āryan). It does not lead to the higher realms, but to infamy.
Explanation
Each Bhagavad Gita verse whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
Krishna’s opening words are a masterclass in divine psychology. He doesn’t coddle Arjuna; he challenges the very foundation of his despair. Let’s break down this powerful rebuke.
- Kutas tvā kaśmalam idam: “From where has this impurity come upon you?” Krishna’s choice of the word kaśmalam is shocking. It translates to dirt or weakness. He frames Arjuna’s compassion not as sensitivity, but as a contamination of his warrior spirit, treating it as an alien infection in a hero like Arjuna.
- Viṣame samupasthitam: “At this critical hour.” Krishna points out the terrible timing. The conches have been blown and armies stand ready. It is the worst possible moment for the Pandavas’ greatest champion to lose his resolve.
- Anārya-juṣṭam: “Practiced by ignoble men.” This is a direct blow to Arjuna’s identity. As a prince, he was an Ārya, a term denoting honor and virtue in Vedic culture. Krishna is stating that this behavior is beneath his station and heritage.
- Asvargyam akīrti-karam: “It does not lead to heaven, but to infamy.” A Kshatriya warrior fought to uphold Dharma, which would grant glory (kīrti) in this life and passage to heaven (svarga) after death. Krishna shows that this path of inaction will achieve neither, leading only to worldly disgrace.
This is the first time the text uses the title Bhagavān (the Supreme Lord) for Krishna, signaling that it is the Divine addressing the human, preparing to reveal the ultimate truth.
Conclusion
Krishna’s first statement is a form of spiritual shock therapy. He holds up a mirror to Arjuna, reflecting not a compassionate man, but an ignoble one, tainted by weakness at a crucial moment. This jarring approach is necessary to break through the fog of Arjuna’s paralysis. Before he can be taught, the student must be made ready to listen. With these powerful words, Krishna clears the ground for the teachings of the soul.
Read Next: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 – Verse 3 – Klaibyam Ma Sma Gamah Partha
