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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 2 Meaning in Hindi & English

By Lakshay Sharma | On 30 May, 2026 | Views

The second verse of Chapter 2 marks a monumental moment in the Mahabharata. After listening patiently to Arjuna’s lengthy arguments on why he should abandon the battlefield, Lord Krishna finally breaks His silence. In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 2, the Divine Teacher does not offer immediate sympathy; instead, He delivers a sharp, waking jolt to His dearest friend to shatter his illusion.

Bhagavad Gita 2.2 – Lord Krishna’s First Words on the Battlefield

In this verse, Lord Krishna addresses Arjuna’s sudden descent into weakness right at the commencement of the war. Rather than comforting Arjuna's tears, Krishna uses the word "Kasmalam" (dejection/impurity) to describe his state of mind. He reminds the ultimate warrior that such anxiety and retreat do not benefit a noble person, nor do they lead to higher spiritual realms or earthly glory. It is a powerful call to consciousness, challenging Arjuna to look beyond his temporary emotional breakdown.

Sanskrit Shlok & Transliteration

संस्कृत श्लोक

श्रीभगवानुवाच । कुतस्त्वा कश्मलमिदं विषमे समुपस्थितम् । अनार्यजुष्टमस्वर्ग्यमकीर्तिकरमर्जुन ॥ २ ॥

Shlok in Hinglish

Shribhagavan uvacha: Kutas tva kashmalam idam vishame samupasthitam Anarya-jushtam asvargyam akirtikaram arjuna

English Transliteration

śrī-bhagavān uvāca kutas tvā kaśmalam idaṁ viṣame samupasthitam anārya-juṣṭam asvargyam akīrti-karam arjuna

Word-by-Word Meaning (शब्दार्थ)

Sanskrit Word	Hindi Meaning	English Meaning
श्रीभगवानुवाच (Śrī-bhagavān uvāca)	श्री भगवान ने कहा	The Supreme Lord said
कुतः (Kutaḥ)	कहाँ से / किस कारण से	Wherefrom / Why
त्वा (Tvā)	तुमको / तुम्हारे भीतर	Unto you
कश्मलम् (Kaśmalam)	यह मोह / मानसिक गंदगी	Impurity / Dejection / Illusion
इदम् (Idam)	यह	This
विषमे (Viṣame)	इस संकट के समय में	In this hour of crisis
समुपस्थितम् (Samupasthitam)	प्राप्त हुआ है / आ गया है	Arrived / Overcome
अनार्य-जुष्टम् (Anārya-juṣṭam)	जो श्रेष्ठ पुरुषों के योग्य नहीं है	Unworthy of a noble person
अस्वर्ग्यम् (Asvargyam)	स्वर्ग (उच्च लोकों) की ओर न ले जाने वाला	Leading not to higher realms
अकीर्ति-करम् (Akīrti-karam)	अपकीर्ति (अपयश) पैदा करने वाला	Causing infamy / Disgraceful
अर्जुन (Arjuna)	हे अर्जुन	O Arjuna

Verse Meaning (अनुवाद)

Hindi Meaning (हिंदी अनुवाद)

श्री भगवान ने कहा: हे अर्जुन! इस संकट के समय में तुम्हारे भीतर यह मोह (मानसिक कायरता) कहाँ से उत्पन्न हो गया? यह न तो किसी श्रेष्ठ पुरुष (आर्य) के योग्य है, न ही यह तुम्हें उच्च लोकों (स्वर्ग) की ओर ले जाएगा, और इससे केवल अपयश ही प्राप्त होगा।

English Meaning

The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, how has this impurity (dejection) overcome you in this hour of crisis? It is neither fitting for a noble person, nor does it lead to higher planetary systems, but it leads only to infamy.

Deep Insights & Philosophical Context

1. The Shock Therapy of Krishna

We often expect a spiritual master or a close friend to offer gentle comfort when we are crying. However, Krishna evaluates the situation perfectly. Arjuna is not suffering from genuine spiritual renunciation; he is suffering from temporary emotional attachment dressed up as wisdom.

By questioning Arjuna ("Kutas tva..." — Where has this come from?), Krishna forces Arjuna to self-reflect. He reminds him that his current behavior is completely out of character for a legendary warrior.

2. The Definition of "Anarya"

In ancient India, the word Arya did not denote a race, but rather a code of conduct. An Arya is a person of noble character, deep responsibility, and spiritual awareness who knows their duty (Dharma).

By calling Arjuna’s behavior Anarya-jushtam (unworthy of an Arya), Krishna is pointing out that abandoning a righteous battle to let evil triumph is an act of spiritual and moral cowardice, not kindness.

Life Lessons from Bhagavad Gita 2.2

1. Recognize When Your Emotions Cloud Your Duty

Like Arjuna, we often want to escape difficult situations in our lives—whether it's a tough conversation, a failing project, or an ethical stand we need to take. We convince ourselves that "walking away" is the peaceful choice.

Modern Takeaway: Escape is rarely the answer. Krishna teaches that running away from necessary battles because they are emotionally painful is an illusion, not wisdom.

2. Guard Your Mind in Times of Crisis (Vishame)

Krishna highlights that this confusion came to Arjuna Vishame—in the hour of absolute crisis. It is easy to be moral and strong when life is smooth, but your true alignment with Dharma is tested only during severe crises.

Modern Takeaway: Do not let panic or overwhelming emotions dictate your life's major decisions when you are in a high-stress environment. Center yourself first.

Modern-Day Relevance

This verse speaks directly to anyone who has ever experienced imposter syndrome, sudden panic attacks, or cold feet right before a major life event—like giving a presentation, launching a business, or confronting a major challenge.

Krishna's opening words act as a psychological mirror. They remind us that our internal "dirt" or self-doubt (Kashmalam) does not belong to our true, powerful self. It is temporary, external, and must be cast aside to perform at our highest potential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.1 What are the very first words spoken by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita?

Ans: Lord Krishna’s first words are: "Kutas tva kashmalam idam vishame samupasthitam", asking Arjuna where this weakness came from in an hour of crisis.

Q.2 Why did Krishna rebuke Arjuna instead of comforting him?

Ans: Because comfort would have validated Arjuna's weakness. Arjuna was confusing his emotional attachment with righteousness. Krishna used strong words to break through his illusion and awaken his inner warrior.

Q.3 What does "Kashmalam" mean in this shlok?

Ans: Kashmalam refers to mental dirt, delusion, weakness, or impurity of thought that clouds clear judgment.

Q.4 Why does Krishna say this path leads to "Akirti" (infamy)?

Ans: Arjuna was a Kshatriya (warrior) whose duty was to protect society from injustice. If he left the battlefield, history would remember him not as a compassionate saint, but as a coward who fled when the world needed him most.

Related Verses to Explore Next

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 1: Sanjaya describes Arjuna's tear-filled eyes.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 3: Krishna explicitly tells Arjuna to cast off this "petty weakness of heart" (Klaibyam).
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 47: The ultimate definition of working without attachment to results.

Conclusion

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 2 is the ultimate cosmic wake-up call. It marks the precise moment where therapy ends and absolute truth begins. Lord Krishna reminds us that staying paralyzed in our grief serves no spiritual, earthly, or social purpose. When life places you in a "Vishame" (crisis), it is time to shake off the mental dust and stand up.

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Lakshay Sharma

I’m Lakshay Sharma, a writer with a deep passion for Hindu mythology, Vastu Shastra, and home interiors. I enjoy exploring the rich traditions of Hindu gods and goddesses, sharing insights into Vastu principles, and offering guidance on creating sacred spaces like Puja Mandirs. Through my writing, I aim to inspire harmony and spiritual well-being, blending traditional knowledge with modern perspectives.

Harishyam Arts | Jaipur

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Bhagavad Gita 2.2 – Lord Krishna’s First Words on the Battlefield

Sanskrit Shlok & Transliteration

संस्कृत श्लोक

Shlok in Hinglish

English Transliteration

Word-by-Word Meaning (शब्दार्थ)

Sanskrit Word

Hindi Meaning

English Meaning

श्रीभगवानुवाच (Śrī-bhagavān uvāca)

श्री भगवान ने कहा

The Supreme Lord said

कुतः (Kutaḥ)

कहाँ से / किस कारण से

Wherefrom / Why

त्वा (Tvā)

तुमको / तुम्हारे भीतर

Unto you

कश्मलम् (Kaśmalam)

यह मोह / मानसिक गंदगी

Impurity / Dejection / Illusion

इदम् (Idam)

यह

This

विषमे (Viṣame)

इस संकट के समय में

In this hour of crisis

समुपस्थितम् (Samupasthitam)

प्राप्त हुआ है / आ गया है

Arrived / Overcome

अनार्य-जुष्टम् (Anārya-juṣṭam)

जो श्रेष्ठ पुरुषों के योग्य नहीं है

Unworthy of a noble person

अस्वर्ग्यम् (Asvargyam)

स्वर्ग (उच्च लोकों) की ओर न ले जाने वाला

Leading not to higher realms

अकीर्ति-करम् (Akīrti-karam)

अपकीर्ति (अपयश) पैदा करने वाला

Causing infamy / Disgraceful

अर्जुन (Arjuna)

हे अर्जुन

O Arjuna

Verse Meaning (अनुवाद)

Hindi Meaning (हिंदी अनुवाद)

English Meaning

Deep Insights & Philosophical Context

1. The Shock Therapy of Krishna

2. The Definition of "Anarya"

Life Lessons from Bhagavad Gita 2.2

1. Recognize When Your Emotions Cloud Your Duty

2. Guard Your Mind in Times of Crisis (Vishame)

Modern-Day Relevance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.1 What are the very first words spoken by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita?

Q.2 Why did Krishna rebuke Arjuna instead of comforting him?

Q.3 What does "Kashmalam" mean in this shlok?

Q.4 Why does Krishna say this path leads to "Akirti" (infamy)?

Related Verses to Explore Next

Conclusion

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