Bhagavad Gita · Verse 11.32
Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (विश्वरूपदर्शनयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः । ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे येऽवस्थिताः प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः ॥३२॥
kālo'smi lokakṣayakṛtpravṛddho lokānsamāhartumiha pravṛttaḥ | ṛte'pi tvāṃ na bhaviṣyanti sarve ye'vasthitāḥ pratyanīkeṣu yodhāḥ ||32||
Complete Shloka Translation
The Lord said: I am Time, grown mighty, bringing the worlds to their end; here I am engaged in their destruction. Even without you, none of the warriors standing in the opposing ranks will remain.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कालः अस्मि | kālaḥ asmi | I am all-devouring Time / Death |
| लोक-क्षय-कृत् | loka-kṣaya-kṛt | the cosmic destroyer of worlds |
| प्रवृद्धः | pravṛddhaḥ | mighty, expanded, and relentless |
| लोकान् | lokān | all the realms and living beings |
| समाहर्तुम् | samāhartum | to swallow and dissolve |
| इह | iha | here in this world |
| प्रवृत्तः | pravṛttaḥ | actively manifest |
| ऋते अपि त्वाम् | ṛte api tvām | even without your participation |
| न भविष्यन्ति | na bhaviṣyanti | they shall not survive |
| सर्वे | sarve | all |
| ये | ye | who |
| अवस्थिताः | avasthitāḥ | stationed arrayed for battle |
| प्रत्यनीकेषु | pratyanīkeṣu | in the opposing warrior divisions |
| योधाः | yodhāḥ | the fierce combatants |
I am all-devouring Time / Death
the cosmic destroyer of worlds
mighty, expanded, and relentless
all the realms and living beings
to swallow and dissolve
here in this world
actively manifest
even without your participation
they shall not survive
all
who
stationed arrayed for battle
in the opposing warrior divisions
the fierce combatants
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Kala means Time here. Krishna explains the battlefield vision; this statement does not authorize violence or erase responsibility in ordinary life.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Remember life’s limits while taking your responsibilities seriously."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How can life’s limits deepen your sense of responsibility?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to dissolve petty ego: see yourself as a humble instrument (Nimitta-matram) of a vastly larger cosmic intelligence. Let go of personal anxiety over outcomes, doing your duty with courage and dedication.