The Blessed Lord said: From where has this impurity come to you in this moment of crisis? It is unknown to the noble, heavenless, and causes infamy, oh Arjuna

Kṛṣṇa’s first word is a rhetorical question: kutas (from where?) — it cannot be from Arjuna himself, for it contradicts his nature. Kaśmalam (impurity, mental filth, confusion) is strong — not weakness but contamination.

Viṣame (in the uneven, in the moment of crisis) — the critical point where decision has maximum consequence. Samupasthitam (arisen, present before you) suggests that this impurity is external, not essential.

The three adjectives are devastating: anārya-juṣṭam (not practiced by nobles/āryas), asvargyam (without-heaven, not leading to heavens), akīrti-karam (causing infamy). Arjuna has inverted values: his “compassion” is seen as degeneration.