Chapter 11, Verse 29 (Bhagavad Gita 11.29)
Chapter 11: Viśhwarūp Darśhan Yog – Yoga through Beholding the Cosmic Form of God
Sanskrit Shloka
यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गा विशन्ति नाशाय समृद्धवेगाः। तथैव नाशाय विशन्ति लोका स्तवापि वक्त्राणि समृद्धवेगाः
Transliteration
yathā pradīptaṁ jvalanaṁ pataṅgā viśhanti nāśhāya samṛiddha-vegāḥ tathaiva nāśhāya viśhanti lokās tavāpi vaktrāṇi samṛiddha-vegāḥ
Word Meanings
yathā—as; pradīptam—blazing; jvalanam—fire; pataṅgāḥ—moths; viśhanti—enter; nāśhāya—to be perished; samṛiddha vegāḥ—with great speed; tathā eva—similarly; nāśhāya—to be perished; viśhanti—enter; lokāḥ—these people; tava—your; api—also; vaktrāṇi—mouths; samṛiddha-vegāḥ—with great speed
Translation
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.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound moment of the Vishwaroop Darshan, Arjuna witnesses the terrifying and awe-inspiring reality of time, which is none other than Bhagwan Shri Krishna Himself. Just as moths are irresistibly drawn to the flame, the souls caught in the cycle of samsara are consumed by the inexorable force of the Lord’s divine time. Shri Krishna reveals that He is the devourer of all that is created, emphasizing that all destinies ultimately merge back into Him. This vision serves as a stern reminder to the seeker that liberation lies in surrendering the ego to the Supreme Lord rather than being consumed by the fires of material attachment. By recognizing Shri Krishna as the origin and end of all, the devotee transcends the fear of destruction and finds eternal refuge in His grace.