Chapter 11 Shlokas 32, 33

श्री भगवानुवाच

कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्त:।

ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे येऽवस्थिता: प्रत्यनीकेषु योधा:।।३२।।

तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व जित्वा शत्रून्भुंक्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम्।

मयैवैते निहता: पूर्वमेव निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन्।।३३।।

Bhagwan says, O Arjuna!

I am the impending death, which annihilates these planes of existence, and I am here with the purpose of destroying these worlds. These courageous warriors, who stand in the opposing army, will not exist even without you. Therefore rise and attain glory. Conquer your foes and enjoy this abundant kingdom. These warriors already lie slain by Me. O Savyasaachin Arjuna, be thou merely an instrument.

Chapter 11 Shlokas 32, 33

श्री भगवानुवाच

कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्त:।

ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे येऽवस्थिता: प्रत्यनीकेषु योधा:।।३२।।

तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व जित्वा शत्रून्भुंक्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम्।

मयैवैते निहता: पूर्वमेव निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन्।।३३।।

Bhagwan says, O Arjuna!

I am the impending death, which annihilates these planes of existence, and I am here with the purpose of destroying these worlds. These courageous warriors, who stand in the opposing army, will not exist even without you. Therefore rise and attain glory. Conquer your foes and enjoy this abundant kingdom. These warriors already lie slain by Me. O Savyasaachin Arjuna, be thou merely an instrument.

a) The Lord is speaking here of fate and destiny.

b) He is speaking of the inevitable.

c) He has already spoken of swabhav or one’s innate nature.

d) He has also explained about the attraction and repulsion of qualities or gunas.

e) He has explained the interaction of gunas.

f) He has also stated that:

­­–  It is He who fills attributes in all.

­­–  He is the protector of all.

­­–  He is also the destroyer of all.

­­–  He is the creator, the sustainer and the annihilator.

­­–  It is He who nourishes and rears all.

Now the Lord says:

1. He is impending death.

2. The last moments of these warriors are at hand.

3. They must die.

4. ‘Arjuna, rise and be instrumental in their extinction.’

Remember that the Lord first stated that nobody kills nor can kill anyone, nor can anyone get anyone else killed. The Lord advises Arjuna, ‘Be Thou an instrument; for I have already killed these warriors.

1. Thereafter, you shall attain renown.

2. You shall receive joy.

3. You shall enjoy a prosperous kingdom.’

The Lord is saying all this from Arjuna’s point of view. Even otherwise, this had to happen. When the death of the opposing army was pre-destined, then the victory of the Pandavas was indeed pre-ordained.

Arjuna had become extremely afraid of battle. There were several reasons for his fear – but one reason was the preponderating doubt as to whether he would win or lose. At this juncture, it was important for the Lord to describe the inevitable fruits of victory in order to impel Arjuna towards this battle. Faith in the inevitability of this fruit of victory was attracting Arjuna to fight. Knowing of the interaction of qualities, the Lord was using the factor of victory to inspire Arjuna to fight.

Little one, the Lord says:

1. He is the death of this entire creation.

2. He is the cause of the final dissolution.

3. His purpose is the annihilation of these worlds.

Little one, saying this, the Lord is explaining:

a) “I am death.

b) It is I who have wrought this terrible war.

c) So do not associate Me merely with benevolent attributes, for I am also the fearsome form of this creation.

d) I am the sorrow and pain of people; their terrible death and torment.

e) All this springs forth from Me and it is I who am according them all these different types of death.

Therefore fight!”

The Jiva – an instrument

The Lord says:

1. ‘The death of these people is inevitable and your victory is also assured.

2. You are merely an instrument in the death of these warriors.

3. Only in name are you the agent of their destruction – you cannot kill them of your own accord.

4. Yet, die they must – that too, at your hands.

It is given in your destiny that they shall be killed by your hand, but you have no connection with this killing. You are merely a tool. One could say, you are the previously appointed cause of their death.’