Bhagavad Gita · Verse 11.33
Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (विश्वरूपदर्शनयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व जित्वा शत्रून्भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम् । मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन् ॥३३॥
tasmāttvamuttiṣṭha yaśo labhasva jitvā śatrūnbhuṅkṣva rājyaṃ samṛddham | mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvameva nimittamātraṃ bhava savyasācin ||33||
Complete Shloka Translation
Therefore rise, gain renown, overcome your foes, and enjoy a prosperous kingdom. They have already been struck down by Me; become merely the instrument, Savyasachin.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तस्मात् | tasmāt | therefore |
| त्वम् | tvam | you |
| उत्तिष्ठ | uttiṣṭha | arise and take courage! |
| यशः | yaśaḥ | everlasting glory and honor |
| लभस्व | labhasva | claim and attain |
| जित्वा | jitvā | having conquered |
| शत्रून् | śatrūn | the foes |
| भुङ्क्ष्व | bhuṅkṣva | enjoy and rule |
| राज्यम् | rājyam | a prosperous kingdom |
| समृद्धम् | samṛddham | flourishing and thriving |
| मया एव एते | mayā eva ete | by Me alone already all these |
| निहताः | nihatāḥ | have been struck down and slain |
| पूर्वम् एव | pūrvam eva | in advance beforehand |
| निमित्त-मात्रम् | nimitta-mātram | merely an instrument and vehicle |
| भव | bhava | become |
| सव्य-साचिन् | savya-sācin | O ambidextrous archer (Arjuna) |
therefore
you
arise and take courage!
everlasting glory and honor
claim and attain
having conquered
the foes
enjoy and rule
a prosperous kingdom
flourishing and thriving
by Me alone already all these
have been struck down and slain
in advance beforehand
merely an instrument and vehicle
become
O ambidextrous archer (Arjuna)
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna addresses Arjuna’s role in this battle. Becoming an instrument concerns divine agency in this context, not exemption from ethical judgment.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Act with humility about how much the outcome depends on you."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How can humility about outcomes coexist with responsible action?
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.