Verse 11.32

Verse 11.32: “The Exalted-one spake: “I am the Time (Spirit), grown to maturity and causing the destruction of the worlds, who am busy (now) in withdrawing the world (within Me). Even without thee they would cease to be: all the warriors that are stationed in the hostile armies. (451)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

Hear then,

“I am in very truth the Time (—Spirit—kāla) that has grown to fullness for world destruction. See these innumerable mouths of mine that have yawned and I shall now swallow the universe.”

At this Arjuna said,

“Alas, in my first distress, I turned to Lord Krishna for help, and besought Him for relief; and with what a tremendous fury He has burst upon me!!”

Lord Krishna too fearing that His harsh words might cut Arjuna to the heart, spake thus:—

“Mark ye, Oh Kiriti, one thing that relieves the fury of this destruction; ye Pandavas shall enjoy a secure existence out of this universal destruction.”

These words gave Arjuna a fresh lease of life that was almost departing, for he was indeed in the very clutches of death; and now recalled to life, he became heedful of Lord Krishna’s words.

Lord Krishna said, “Oh Arjuna, mark ye, that ye Pandavas are dear to Me; so you Pandavas shall be safe, while everything else is being engulfed by me. The universe you have seen going into my mouths, is verily like a morsel of butter, falling into the dreadful thunderbolt fire, and doubt not for a moment what is hidden behind this terrific sight. These armies are vainly indulging in empty talk. On the strength of this four-limbed army, they are vying with the great destroyer, being infatuated with the conceit of their power! They aver that they counter-plot the creation of a new universe itself (sṛṣṭīvarī sṛṣṭi), and would vow vengeance against the great slayer, and would drain to the dregs, in a single draught, the entire world. They would gulp down the entire earth, would bum the very canopy of sky, just as it hangs, and nail down with arrows the wind to one single spot.

Thus these assembled hosts of warriors are seething with the lust of battle and vaunting their valour to scoff at the God of Death. With their words cutting sharper than their weapons, and with their eyes glowing with a glare, fiercer than fire, they make the malignant virulence of even the deadliest poison taste sweet. But know these to be nothing more than mansions in air-cities of cloud-land, or mere men of straw stuffed with void. Or they are like paper-fruits drawn in pictures. It is as though a mirage is in floods; or a snake made of rags and not a real army is facing you. They are thus mere well-decorated puppet show.