Chapter 11 Verse 32
Viśhwarūp Darśhan Yog
श्री भगवानुवाच कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः। ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे येऽवस्थिताः प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः।।11.32।।
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha kālo ’smi loka-kṣhaya-kṛit pravṛiddho lokān samāhartum iha pravṛittaḥ ṛite ’pi tvāṁ na bhaviṣhyanti sarve ye ’vasthitāḥ pratyanīkeṣhu yodhāḥ
Word Meanings
| śhrī-bhagavān uvācha | the Supreme Lord said |
| kālaḥ | time |
| asmi | I am |
| loka-kṣhaya-kṛit | the source of destruction of the worlds |
| pravṛiddhaḥ | mighty |
| lokān | the worlds |
| samāhartum | annihilation |
| iha | this world |
| pravṛittaḥ | participation |
| ṛite | without |
| api | even |
| tvām | you |
| na bhaviṣhyanti | shall cease to exist |
| sarve | all |
| ye | who |
| avasthitāḥ | arrayed |
| prati-anīkeṣhu | in the opposing army |
| yodhāḥ | the warriors |
Translation
The Blessed Lord said, "I am the full-grown, world-destroying Time, now engaged in destroying the worlds. Even without you, none of the warriors arrayed in the hostile armies will live."
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
In this verse Krishna reveals himself as Kāla, the force of time and change that brings everything to an end. He says that the destruction underway is not personal revenge but the natural law: change, decay, and death are part of the world’s cycle.
For Arjuna, this is a reminder that individual outcomes are not fully under his control. The larger flow of life decides many results, so fear and attachment to specific ends lead to confusion and suffering.
Spiritually, recognizing Kāla helps us accept impermanence and see ourselves as instruments within a greater process. That calm acceptance frees us to act rightly without being crushed by anxiety about results.
Life Application
- When facing loss or change, pause and accept that endings are natural; this reduces panic and clears the mind for wise action.
- Do your duty sincerely but without clinging to specific outcomes; focus on effort rather than guaranteed results.
- Use the awareness of limited time to prioritize what truly matters—relationships, service, and honest work.
Reflection Question
If you truly accepted that outcomes are often beyond your control, what would you focus on doing differently today?