Bhagavad Gita 2.3 — Arise, O Arjuna: Give Up Petty Weakness of Heart
क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते।
क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप॥ २.३॥
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O Arjuna, son of Pritha, do not yield to this weakness. It does not befit you. Give up this petty weakness of heart and arise, O scorcher of enemies.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| klaibyam | unmanliness, weakness, cowardice |
| mā | do not |
| sma | indeed (emphatic particle) |
| gamaḥ | yield to, give way to |
| pārtha | O Arjuna, son of Pritha (Kunti) |
| na | not |
| etat | this |
| tvayi | in you, for you |
| upapadyate | is fitting, befits |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kṣhudram | petty, trivial, mean |
| hṛdayadaurbalyam | weakness of heart, faint-heartedness |
| tyaktvā | having abandoned, giving up |
| uttiṣhṭha | arise, stand up |
| parantapa | O scorcher of enemies |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| klaibyam | unmanliness, weakness, cowardice | kṣhudram | petty, trivial, mean |
| mā | do not | hṛdayadaurbalyam | weakness of heart, faint-heartedness |
| sma | indeed (emphatic particle) | tyaktvā | having abandoned, giving up |
| gamaḥ | yield to, give way to | uttiṣhṭha | arise, stand up |
| pārtha | O Arjuna, son of Pritha (Kunti) | parantapa | O scorcher of enemies |
| na | not | ||
| etat | this | ||
| tvayi | in you, for you | ||
| upapadyate | is fitting, befits | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse Lord Krishna moves from diagnosis to prescription. He tells Arjuna not to yield to weakness, reminds him of who he truly is, and gives a stirring call to rise. It is one of the most energising verses in the Gita, and it shows that the path of wisdom begins with the restoration of inner strength.
Essence
Do not yield to weakness
Lord Krishna says, klaibyaṃ mā sma gamaḥ, 'Do not fall into klaibya.' The word klaibya refers to a loss of strength, a spiritless faint-heartedness that does not fit the person experiencing it. Krishna is not insulting Arjuna's feelings of compassion. He is pointing out that the paralysis and surrender to despair is out of character for one who is a hero.
Pārtha (son of Pṛthā): By addressing Arjuna as the son of Kuntī, also known as Pṛthā, Krishna reminds him of his heritage and the courage of the family from which he comes. Identity is being used to awaken strength.
Naitat tvayy upapadyate (this does not befit you): The Lord does not say that Arjuna is incapable. He says that this weakness does not suit him. A teacher who points to a student's true capacity inspires more than one who simply criticises.
The real enemy
Kṣudraṃ hṛdayadaurbalyam (petty weakness of the heart): Notice the word kṣudra, meaning small or trivial. Arjuna's grief feels enormous to him, but Krishna calls the weakness petty because it is a small thing compared to the greatness of the Self and the importance of dharma. The enemy that needs to be conquered is not only on the other side of the battlefield, but within the heart.
Parantapa (scorcher of foes): Krishna again recalls Arjuna's nature. One who is known for scorching enemies should not be scorched by his own despair.
Uttiṣṭha: the call to rise
The verse ends with one word that carries the force of the whole teaching: uttiṣṭha, 'Stand up.' The Gita's message is not escapism or passivity. It begins by calling a person to arise, awaken, and take up responsibility. In the later parts of the chapter we will see that this rising is not blind action but action rooted in understanding.
Message for Everyday Life (Rising Above Discouragement)
There are times when we are not defeated by circumstances but by our own inner collapse. We say, 'I cannot,' when the truth is, 'I am afraid.'
Separate the person from the mood: Remind yourself that discouragement is a state of mind and not your real nature.
Take the first small step: The word uttiṣṭha does not ask for everything at once. Rising begins with a posture, a decision, and a first action.
Do not yield to weakness
Lord Krishna says, klaibyaṃ mā sma gamaḥ, 'Do not fall into klaibya.' The word klaibya refers to a loss of strength, a spiritless faint-heartedness that does not fit the person experiencing it. Krishna is not insulting Arjuna's feelings of compassion. He is pointing out that the paralysis and surrender to despair is out of character for one who is a hero.
Pārtha (son of Pṛthā): By addressing Arjuna as the son of Kuntī, also known as Pṛthā, Krishna reminds him of his heritage and the courage of the family from which he comes. Identity is being used to awaken strength.
Naitat tvayy upapadyate (this does not befit you): The Lord does not say that Arjuna is incapable. He says that this weakness does not suit him. A teacher who points to a student's true capacity inspires more than one who simply criticises.
The real enemy
Kṣudraṃ hṛdayadaurbalyam (petty weakness of the heart): Notice the word kṣudra, meaning small or trivial. Arjuna's grief feels enormous to him, but Krishna calls the weakness petty because it is a small thing compared to the greatness of the Self and the importance of dharma. The enemy that needs to be conquered is not only on the other side of the battlefield, but within the heart.
Parantapa (scorcher of foes): Krishna again recalls Arjuna's nature. One who is known for scorching enemies should not be scorched by his own despair.
Uttiṣṭha: the call to rise
The verse ends with one word that carries the force of the whole teaching: uttiṣṭha, 'Stand up.' The Gita's message is not escapism or passivity. It begins by calling a person to arise, awaken, and take up responsibility. In the later parts of the chapter we will see that this rising is not blind action but action rooted in understanding.
Message for Everyday Life (Rising Above Discouragement)
There are times when we are not defeated by circumstances but by our own inner collapse. We say, 'I cannot,' when the truth is, 'I am afraid.'
Separate the person from the mood: Remind yourself that discouragement is a state of mind and not your real nature.
Take the first small step: The word uttiṣṭha does not ask for everything at once. Rising begins with a posture, a decision, and a first action.
Next Topic
With the words 'stand up', Lord Krishna has called Arjuna to action. Arjuna, however, is not yet convinced, and he now responds with the arguments of a troubled heart. In the next verse he explains why he cannot raise his arrows against Bhīṣma and Droṇa, whom he reveres.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Don't stay where your potential cannot breathe.
Fear shrinks when you stand up to it.
You are bigger than your hardest moment.
Begin before you feel ready.
Real leaders conquer their own weakness before anyone else's.
The first battle is always inside.
Sometimes one clear word can lift a whole life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'klaibya' (unmanliness, weakness) mean in this verse?
Why does Krishna call Arjuna 'Pārtha' (son of Pritha)?
What is 'hṛdayadaurbalya' (weakness of heart)?
What does 'parantapa' (scorcher of enemies) signify here?
Is this verse only about fighting?
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