1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

700 verses37 detailed

Or browse by chapter

Chapter

Chapter 11 · The Universal Form · 55 verses

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Krishna’s natureChapter 11 · The Universal Form

11.31 11.33

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 11.32

Krishna reveals Himself as time

Kāla · Time

श्रीभगवानुवाच

कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो

लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्त: ।

‍ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे

येऽवस्थिता: प्रत्यनीकेषु योधा: ॥ ३२ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

kālo ’smi loka-kṣaya-kṛt pravṛddho

lokān samāhartum iha pravṛttaḥ

ṛte ’pi tvāṁ na bhaviṣyanti sarve

ye ’vasthitāḥ praty-anīkeṣu yodhāḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Time I am, the great destroyer of the worlds, and I have come here to destroy all people. With the exception of you [the Pāṇḍavas], all the soldiers here on both sides will be slain.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Kṛṣṇa as All-Devouring Time

1
Kṛṣṇa declares that He is time, the destroyer of worlds. Except for the Pāṇḍavas, all soldiers on both sides will die.
2
Prabhupāda explains that they would die even if Arjuna did not fight, because this was the Supreme Lord’s plan.
3
Remember that all things in this world will be destroyed by time, according to the Supreme Lord’s desire.

Key points from the purport

Krishna in the form of Universal Time replies to Arjuna’s two questions

“Time I am” (Kala-rupa)

Mission – To destroy everything – “All the people in all the worlds, except Pandavas”

Indicates – Even if Arjuna did not want to fight, they will die anyway

Ref. Katha Upanisad – All brahmanas, ksatriyas and everyone else are devoured like a meal by the Supreme as the All-devouring giant

Connected verses · 1

Texts 11.32 & 11.33

Theme of Texts 11.33 & 11.34 mentions Krishna’s instructions to Arjuna

How it feels

Terror and awe

“time I Am, Become My Instrument”

Krishna replies, “Time I am, the destroyer of the world. The great warriors on both sides are already slain by My plan. You can be but an instrument. Arise and fight!”

Chapter 11, section III: “time I Am, Become My Instrument”