Chapter 11, Verse 33 (Bhagavad Gita 11.33)
Chapter 11: Viśhwarūp Darśhan Yog – Yoga through Beholding the Cosmic Form of God
Sanskrit Shloka
तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व जित्वा शत्रून् भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम्। मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन्
Transliteration
tasmāt tvam uttiṣhṭha yaśho labhasva jitvā śhatrūn bhuṅkṣhva rājyaṁ samṛiddham mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvam eva nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savya-sāchin
Word Meanings
tasmāt—therefore; tvam—you; uttiṣhṭha—arise; yaśhaḥ—honor; labhasva—attain; jitvā—conquer; śhatrūn—foes; bhuṅkṣhva—enjoy; rājyam—kingdom; samṛiddham—prosperous; mayā—by me; eva—indeed; ete—these; nihatāḥ—slain; pūrvam—already; eva nimitta-mātram—only an instrument; bhava—become; savya-sāchin—Arjun, the one who can shoot arrows with both hands
Translation
Therefore, arise and attain glory. Conquer your enemies and enjoy the prosperous kingdom. Truly, by Me, they have already been slain; be you merely an instrument, O Arjuna.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound revelation, Bhagwan Shri Krishna unveils the mystery of divine agency, reminding Arjuna that the ultimate outcome of all actions rests within the Supreme Will. By instructing Arjuna to be a mere instrument, Shri Krishna invites every soul to surrender their ego and the anxiety of results, acting instead as a vessel for the Divine's play in the material world. This surrender is not passivity, but a transcendental state of performance where one realizes that the Lord is the true Doer of all events. By aligning oneself with the purpose of Bhagwan Shri Krishna, the seeker achieves true liberation from the bondage of karma, finding peace amidst the struggles of life. To become an instrument is the highest yoga, transforming every worldly duty into a sacred offering at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord.