Bhagavad Gita · Sankhya YogaChapter 2, Shloka 2 (2.2)

Kaśmala — "a stain". Krishna calls Arjuna's state kaśmala — a stain on the mind, a fog, a kind of swoon. Shridhara: ayaṃ mohaḥ — this delusion. Madhusudana defines it: turning away from one's svadharma, accompanied by confusion born of pity, tears and the like — "impure" because it is condemned by the cultured.

Notice: Arjuna had called his arguments dharma; Krishna calls his state a "stain". Before he begins to refute the arguments, Krishna identifies their root — delusion.

"Kutas" — from where? Madhusudana offers a beautiful analysis: behind the question "from where?" lie three possible reasons for which someone might give up a war — the wish for moksha, the wish for heaven, or the wish for kirti (fame). And the second line of the shloka rules out all three with three adjectives:

• Anārya-juṣṭam — noble people who seek moksha do not adopt it (it is not the path to moksha);
• Asvargyam — it does not lead to heaven;
• Akīrti-karam — it brings not fame but dishonour.

That is, Krishna is saying: this decision of yours brings neither spiritual gain, nor religious merit, nor social respect.

The style of teaching. Krishna does not begin with words of sympathy. This may seem harsh. But look at the context: the war is about to begin, and Arjuna's response could change the fate of thousands. Krishna first wakes Arjuna up. Comfort and knowledge will come later (from 2.11).