11. Beholding the Form of God

Viśhwarūp Darśhan Yog

BG 11.32

Krishna said: I am time, destroyer of worlds. With or without your involvement, I will destroy the warriors in both these armies.

श्री भगवानुवाच
कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो
लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः
ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे
येऽवस्थिताः प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः




J. Robert Oppenheimer was an American theoretical physicist who played a significant role in the development of the first nuclear weapon. Many years after witnessing the first detonation of a nuclear weapon, he articulated his emotions that day:

A few people laughed, a few people cried. Most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita; Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty and, to impress him, takes on his multi-armed form and says, 'Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.'

Oppenheimer is referring to this verse, where Krishna assumes his most terrifying form. Arjuna has just finished a monologue laden with majestic cosmic imagery, and now requests to see

  • śhrī-bhagavān — Krishna
    Literally means "The Holy Lord", which is always in reference to Krishna.

    • śhrī — holy, blessed, revered

    • bhagavān — God, lord

  • uvācha — said

  • kālo — time
    The god of death, Kala, is mentioned several times in the Mahabharata. This god is personified by the idea of time, which has the ultimate power to destroy all living things

  • ’smi — I am
    Lexical blend of asmi (I am) with kālo

  • loka-kṣhaya-kṛit — destroyer of worlds

    • loka — world, realm

    • kṣhaya — destruction
      In other Sanskrit texts, kṣhaya can often be translated to mean "loss"

    • kṛit — doer
      One who performs the action of something

  • pravṛiddho — mighty, large

  • lokān — the worlds

  • samāhartum — annihilation

  • iha — in this place or situation
    A reference to time, place or direction. In this case, this is the start of a new statement

  • pravṛittaḥ — participation
    From the Sanskrit root pravṛtti, which refers to progress and endeavors

  • ṛite — without

  • ’pi — even

  • tvāṁ — you

  • na bhaviṣhyanti — shall cease to exist

    • bhaviṣhyanti — term for the future tense
      From bhaviṣyat (भविष्यत्), meaning "future" or "all that is yet to pass"

      भविष्यन्ती

  • sarve — all

  • ye — who

  • ’vasthitāḥ — arrayed

  • pratyanīkeṣhu — opposing armies

    • praty — opposite

    • anīkeṣhu — army, forces
      Derived from the word anīka (अनीक), which means 'fearless', 'soldier', 'army', or 'face'

  • yodhāḥ — warriors

...11.31

Krishna said: I am time, destroyer of worlds. With or without your involvement, I will destroy the warriors in both these armies.

[32]

Therefore, arise and win glory. Conquer your foes, and enjoy the princely pleasures. I have already slain your foes - you are but a mere instrument in their destruction.

[33]

Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna, and all the other mighty warriors, have all been condemned to die by my hand. Fight them without fear in this great battle.

[34]

11.35...

Similar verses

Chapter 11, Verse 32