Srimad Bhagavad Gita Shloka 2.3

Shloka 2.3

“Yield not to unmanliness, O Arjuna; it does not befit you. Cast off this petty weakness and arise!”

Key Teaching: Krishna urges Arjuna to overcome weakness and fulfill his duty.

Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Courage.

Description:
Krishna continues, urging Arjuna not to yield to unmanliness, calling his despair unfit for a warrior and commanding him to cast off weakness and arise. This verse strengthens Krishna’s intervention (2.2), pushing Arjuna to overcome his emotional crisis (1.28–46) and embrace his Kshatriya duty. The themes of guidance, as Krishna provides direction, dharma, as he invokes warrior responsibility, and courage, as he demands resolve, are central.

In the Mahabharata, “unmanliness” refers to Arjuna’s emotional collapse, which conflicts with his role as a warrior fighting for justice. Krishna’s command contrasts with Arjuna’s compassion for kin (1.26–27), urging action over despair, unlike Duryodhana’s focus on power (1.3–11). This moment sets up Krishna’s teachings on duty (2.31).

Philosophically, this verse reflects the human struggle to overcome emotional weakness, a theme Krishna addresses with teachings on detachment (2.47). Krishna’s call to arise challenges Arjuna’s vishada, emphasizing courage in fulfilling dharma. The theme of courage underscores the need for resolve in conflict.

Sanjaya’s narration frames Krishna’s command objectively, emphasizing its motivational weight. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s challenges, where overcoming weakness is essential for duty. Krishna’s urging prepares readers for the Gita’s teachings on acting with courage and detachment.