Bhagavad Gita 11.25 — Arjuna Prays for Grace Amid the Fire of Time
दंष्ट्राकरालानि च ते मुखानि दृष्ट्वैव कालानलसन्निभानि ।
दिशो न जाने न लभे च शर्म प्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास ॥ ११.२५ ॥
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Seeing Your mouths, fearsome with tusks and resembling the fire of cosmic dissolution, I lose my sense of direction and find no comfort. O Lord of gods, abode of the universe, be gracious.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| daṁṣhṭrā-karālāni | fearsome with tusks |
| cha | and |
| te | Your |
| mukhāni | mouths |
| dṛiṣhṭvā | having seen |
| eva | just |
| kāla-anala-sannibhāni | resembling the fire of cosmic dissolution |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| diśhaḥ | directions |
| na | not |
| jāne | I know |
| na | nor |
| labhe | I find |
| cha | and |
| śharma | comfort; peace |
| prasīda | be gracious; be pleased |
| deva-īśha | O Lord of gods |
| jagat-nivāsa | O abode of the universe |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| daṁṣhṭrā-karālāni | fearsome with tusks | diśhaḥ | directions |
| cha | and | na | not |
| te | Your | jāne | I know |
| mukhāni | mouths | na | nor |
| dṛiṣhṭvā | having seen | labhe | I find |
| eva | just | cha | and |
| kāla-anala-sannibhāni | resembling the fire of cosmic dissolution | śharma | comfort; peace |
| prasīda | be gracious; be pleased | ||
| deva-īśha | O Lord of gods | ||
| jagat-nivāsa | O abode of the universe | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Seeing the Lord's tusked mouths blazing like the fire at the end of time, Arjuna loses his sense of direction and finds no comfort. He prays to the Lord of the gods and refuge of the universe to be gracious.
Essence
A Prayer Born of Helplessness
The vision grows more intense. The mouths now remind Arjuna of the cosmic fire that dissolves the universe. In his confusion, he does what a devotee does when everything else fails: he prays.
Daṁṣṭrā-karālāni ca te mukhāni (your mouths, made terrible by tusks): The tusks reveal the Lord's power to consume. What exists must also eventually be withdrawn.
Kālānala-sannibhāni (like the fire of Time, the fire of dissolution): Kāla is time, which devours everything. The Lord is shown as the one who stands behind time itself.
Diśo na jāne na labhe ca śarma (I lose my sense of direction and find no comfort): Arjuna no longer knows where he is. The loss of orientation is a symbol of the ego's collapse in front of the infinite.
Prasīda deveśa jagan-nivāsa (be gracious, Lord of gods, abode of the universe): The prayer is short and sincere. Arjuna asks not for explanations but for grace. When our own strength is exhausted, grace becomes our only support.
Message for Everyday Life (Prayer in Moments of Helplessness)
Surrender when you cannot control: Some situations lie beyond our power. Accepting this and praying for strength can bring unexpected relief.
Practical approach: In a crisis, do what you can, then let go of the rest with a sincere prayer. This balance prevents both recklessness and despair.
A Prayer Born of Helplessness
The vision grows more intense. The mouths now remind Arjuna of the cosmic fire that dissolves the universe. In his confusion, he does what a devotee does when everything else fails: he prays.
Daṁṣṭrā-karālāni ca te mukhāni (your mouths, made terrible by tusks): The tusks reveal the Lord's power to consume. What exists must also eventually be withdrawn.
Kālānala-sannibhāni (like the fire of Time, the fire of dissolution): Kāla is time, which devours everything. The Lord is shown as the one who stands behind time itself.
Diśo na jāne na labhe ca śarma (I lose my sense of direction and find no comfort): Arjuna no longer knows where he is. The loss of orientation is a symbol of the ego's collapse in front of the infinite.
Prasīda deveśa jagan-nivāsa (be gracious, Lord of gods, abode of the universe): The prayer is short and sincere. Arjuna asks not for explanations but for grace. When our own strength is exhausted, grace becomes our only support.
Message for Everyday Life (Prayer in Moments of Helplessness)
Surrender when you cannot control: Some situations lie beyond our power. Accepting this and praying for strength can bring unexpected relief.
Practical approach: In a crisis, do what you can, then let go of the rest with a sincere prayer. This balance prevents both recklessness and despair.
Next Topic
Arjuna has prayed for grace. He now turns to the specific sight that has frightened him most. In the next verse, he sees the Kaurava warriors, along with Bhīṣma, Droṇa and Karṇa, rushing toward the Lord's mouths.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Time is a fire that waits for no one.
When bearings fail, ask for grace.
True comfort comes from the Source, not from circumstance.
Fear that turns into prayer becomes strength.
The universe itself rests in the Divine.
Admit when you are lost.
Be gracious is the shortest prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'kālānala-sannibhāni' (resembling the fire of cosmic dissolution) mean?
Why does Arjuna say 'diśho na jāne' (I do not know the directions)?
What does 'śharma' (comfort or peace) refer to?
What does 'prasīda' (be gracious) express?
Why is Krishna called 'jagan-nivāsa' (abode of the universe)?
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