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Chapter 11 Verse 28-29
Bhagavad Gita

Chapter 11 Verse 28-29

Viśhwarūp Darśhan Yog

Verse 28-29
Audio Available
BG 11.28-29
Peaceful

यथा नदीनां बहवोऽम्बुवेगाः समुद्रमेवाभिमुखाः द्रवन्ति। तथा तवामी नरलोकवीरा विशन्ति वक्त्राण्यभिविज्वलन्ति।।11.28।। यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गा विशन्ति नाशाय समृद्धवेगाः। तथैव नाशाय विशन्ति लोका स्तवापि वक्त्राणि समृद्धवेगाः।।11.29।।

yathā nadīnāṁ bahavo ’mbu-vegāḥ samudram evābhimukhā dravanti tathā tavāmī nara-loka-vīrā viśhanti vaktrāṇy abhivijvalanti yathā pradīptaṁ jvalanaṁ pataṅgā viśhanti nāśhāya samṛiddha-vegāḥ tathaiva nāśhāya viśhanti lokās tavāpi vaktrāṇi samṛiddha-vegāḥ

Word Meanings

yathāas
nadīnāmof the rivers
bahavaḥmany
ambu-vegāḥwater waves
samudramthe ocean
evaindeed
abhimukhāḥtoward
dravantiflowing rapidly
tathāsimilarly
tavayour
amīthese
nara-loka-vīrāḥkings of human society
viśhantienter
vaktrāṇimouths
abhivijvalantiblazing
yathāas
pradīptamblazing
jvalanamfire
pataṅgāḥmoths
viśhantienter
nāśhāyato be perished
samṛiddha vegāḥwith great speed
tathā evasimilarly
nāśhāyato be perished
viśhantienter
lokāḥthese people
tavayour
apialso
vaktrāṇimouths
samṛiddha-vegāḥwith great speed

Translation

Verily, just as many torrents of rivers flow towards the ocean, so too these heroes in the world of men enter Thy flaming mouths. As moths hurriedly rush into a blazing fire, leading to their own destruction, so too these creatures hurry into Your mouths, leading to their own destruction.

Philosophical Significance

Core Meaning

The verse uses two strong images—many rivers rushing to the ocean, and moths flying into a bright fire—to show how beings move toward a powerful, irresistible end. In one sense, lives flow naturally back to the Divine, like rivers returning to the ocean. In another sense, desires can pull people blindly into harm, like moths to a flame.

Krishna’s blazing mouths represent a supreme force that both consumes and transforms. When people act from unchecked craving or pride, they hurry toward loss and destruction. When they surrender and align with the higher will, their return is natural and peaceful.

Seeing life this way invites humility: much of what we chase is temporary. Recognizing the force behind our choices helps us choose wisely and live with less fear and regret.

Life Application

  • Pause before acting on strong urges. Take a few deep breaths and ask if this choice leads to lasting good or quick harm.
  • Practice small acts of surrender each day: offer your results, accept what you cannot control, and focus on right action rather than frantic outcomes.
  • Keep a short reminder of impermanence (a phrase, object, or daily reflection) to help prioritize what truly matters.

Reflection Question

What are you rushing toward that you could slow down and reconsider?