Geethartha Chinthane - 86: Avoiding responsibility is cowardice

To root out mental impurities (Kashmala), the heart must first be purified—negative emotions and feelings must be cleansed. Mental impurity is essentially the impurity of emotions. Here, Kashmala doesn’t imply something physically unclean but rather symbolizes impurities in the mind. Lord Krishna begins to address and cleanse Arjuna’s mental turmoil in this manner.

“Klebyam ma sma gamah Partha naitat tvayy upapadyate; Kshudram hridaya-daurbalyam tyaktvottistha parantapa.”

The term Klebyam translates to weakness or impotence. Krishna rebukes Arjuna for his hesitation, a quality unfit for a Kshatriya. Arjuna, who should be committed to his duty with courage, is exhibiting traits that Krishna sees as unbecoming and calls “eunuch-like.” Arjuna seems caught up between victory and defeat, unable to proceed decisively.

When warriors like Bhishma and Drona arrive, Arjuna wavers, revealing a mentality that Krishna perceives as an attempt to avoid conflict. Krishna identifies this as “cowardice” and commands Arjuna to cast it off. Notably, instead of addressing Arjuna as “son of Pandu,” Krishna refers to him as “Partha”—the son of Pritha, or Kunti. This name reminds Arjuna of his mother Kunti’s bravery, urging him to emulate her strength and resolve.

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