6. Drop The Powerlessness And Stand Up (2.1-2.3)

Arjuna had collapsed in his chariot. Kṛṣṇa allowed Arjuna to exhaust himself, physically, emotionally and spiritually. He listened to Arjuna completely giving him time to open his being to Him, so that His answers would penetrate Arjuna's very being.

Then He spoke for the first time, as if opening His being directly. Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa says, 'My dear Arjuna, how have you acquired these impurities? They do not at all befit a man who knows the value of life. They lead not to higher planes but to infamy, akīrti karam arjuna (2.1).'

This verse is connected to the next one. 'O Pārtha! Do not yield to this degrading impotence. Give up such petty powerlessness of heart and arise, O Parantapa, destroyer of enemy.'

Kṛṣṇa gives direction to the whole Gītā with this one Truth to awaken Arjuna from his delusory incompletions. Kṛṣṇa is the true Master. He addresses the dilemma of Arjuna straightaway.