śhrī bhagavān uvācha
kutastvā kaśhmalamidaṁ viṣhame samupasthitam
anārya-juṣhṭamaswargyam akīrti-karam arjuna
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha — the Supreme Lord said;
kutaḥ — wherefrom;
tvā — to you;
kaśhmalam — delusion;
idam — this;
viṣhame — in this hour of peril;
samupasthitam — overcome;
anārya — crude person;
juṣhṭam — practiced;
aswargyam — which does not lead to the higher abodes;
akīrti-karam — leading to disgrace;
arjuna — Arjun
In this verse, Lord Krishna, who is seen as the Supreme Being, addresses Arjuna with concern. Krishna is asking Arjuna about the negative feelings—like confusion and weakness—that have taken over him in this difficult moment. He is particularly surprised because these feelings are not suitable for someone like Arjuna, who understands what is truly important in life.
To unpack this, Krishna reminds Arjuna that he is a warrior and has responsibilities. He questions how he suddenly became burdened with doubt and fear, which Krishna sees as 'impurities' clouding Arjuna's judgment. It’s as if Arjuna forgot his purpose as a fighter and allowed weakness to overwhelm him. Krishna is emphasizing that such doubts do not align with the qualities of a true warrior, who should be strong and courageous in the face of challenges.
Next, Krishna highlights that these doubts do not lead to a better existence, or what he calls 'higher planets.' In other words, if Arjuna gives in to his confusion and avoids his responsibilities, he won’t progress in life or attain a good reputation. Instead, it could lead to disgrace—being remembered not as a hero, but as someone who shied away from their duty.
This part of the teaching reflects a broader idea that in life, facing challenges is essential. It pushes growth and understanding. Giving up our responsibilities out of fear or sorrow can result in negative consequences not just for us, but for those around us as well. Krishna wants Arjuna to recognize that his current state of mind is unacceptable for someone of his stature, and he should rise above it.
Thus, Krishna is encouraging Arjuna to shake off this confusion and act according to his duty.
In a more relatable way, imagine someone who usually performs well in their job or responsibilities, but suddenly feels incompetent or afraid due to some pressure. A good mentor would come in, point out their strengths, and remind them of their past successes, encouraging them to overcome their fears and carry on. This nurturing but firm reminder is what Krishna is offering Arjuna, urging him to rise to the occasion and fulfill his role as a warrior.