Bhagavad Gita 11.27 — Warriors Rush into the Fearsome Mouths of Time
वक्त्राणि ते त्वरमाणा विशन्ति दंष्ट्राकरालानि भयानकानि ।
केचिद्विलग्ना दशनान्तरेषु सन्दृश्यन्ते चूर्णितैरुत्तमाङ्गैः ॥ ११.२७ ॥
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They are rushing hastily into Your dreadful mouths, terrible with tusks. Some are seen caught between the teeth, with their heads crushed to powder.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| vaktrāṇi | mouths |
| te | Your |
| tvaramāṇāḥ | rushing hastily |
| viśhanti | enter |
| daṁṣhṭrā-karālāni | terrible with tusks |
| bhayānakāni | dreadful; frightening |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kechit | some |
| vilagnāḥ | stuck; clinging |
| daśhana-antareṣhu | between the teeth |
| sandṛiśhyante | are seen |
| chūrṇitaiḥ | crushed to powder |
| uttama-aṅgaiḥ | with heads |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| vaktrāṇi | mouths | kechit | some |
| te | Your | vilagnāḥ | stuck; clinging |
| tvaramāṇāḥ | rushing hastily | daśhana-antareṣhu | between the teeth |
| viśhanti | enter | sandṛiśhyante | are seen |
| daṁṣhṭrā-karālāni | terrible with tusks | chūrṇitaiḥ | crushed to powder |
| bhayānakāni | dreadful; frightening | uttama-aṅgaiḥ | with heads |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Arjuna sees the warriors hurrying into the Lord's terrifying mouths, which are fearsome with tusks. Some are seen caught between the teeth, their heads crushed.
Essence
The Devouring Aspect of Time
This is one of the most severe images in the Gita. Arjuna is shown, with unflinching directness, what the passage of time does to all beings. The Lord's role as the one who withdraws creation is revealed.
Vaktrāṇi te tvaramāṇā viśanti (they hurry into your mouths): The warriors do not drag their feet; they rush. This conveys how quickly time carries us toward our end, even while we are busy with our plans.
Daṁṣṭrā-karālāni bhayānakāni (terrible with tusks, fearsome): The tusks symbolise the inescapable power of dissolution. What exists in the world is transient by nature.
Kecid vilagnā daśanāntareṣu (some are stuck between the teeth): The detail is vivid. Some beings do not disappear at once but are caught partway, which reflects the suffering that often accompanies change and loss.
Sandṛśyante cūrṇitair uttamāṅgaiḥ (seen with their heads crushed): The image is deliberately harsh. It confronts Arjuna with the reality he had been avoiding: that every body, however strong, will return to the Lord.
Understanding the purpose: The vision is not meant to glorify violence. It teaches that death is not an accident but part of the Lord's order, which helps Arjuna move beyond fear and grief.
Message for Everyday Life (Facing Impermanence)
Do not deny change: Many of our deepest anxieties arise from resisting the fact that everything passes.
Practical approach: Reflect calmly on impermanence, and let it deepen your gratitude for the present. Valuing each day properly is one of the gifts of accepting that life is limited.
The Devouring Aspect of Time
This is one of the most severe images in the Gita. Arjuna is shown, with unflinching directness, what the passage of time does to all beings. The Lord's role as the one who withdraws creation is revealed.
Vaktrāṇi te tvaramāṇā viśanti (they hurry into your mouths): The warriors do not drag their feet; they rush. This conveys how quickly time carries us toward our end, even while we are busy with our plans.
Daṁṣṭrā-karālāni bhayānakāni (terrible with tusks, fearsome): The tusks symbolise the inescapable power of dissolution. What exists in the world is transient by nature.
Kecid vilagnā daśanāntareṣu (some are stuck between the teeth): The detail is vivid. Some beings do not disappear at once but are caught partway, which reflects the suffering that often accompanies change and loss.
Sandṛśyante cūrṇitair uttamāṅgaiḥ (seen with their heads crushed): The image is deliberately harsh. It confronts Arjuna with the reality he had been avoiding: that every body, however strong, will return to the Lord.
Understanding the purpose: The vision is not meant to glorify violence. It teaches that death is not an accident but part of the Lord's order, which helps Arjuna move beyond fear and grief.
Message for Everyday Life (Facing Impermanence)
Do not deny change: Many of our deepest anxieties arise from resisting the fact that everything passes.
Practical approach: Reflect calmly on impermanence, and let it deepen your gratitude for the present. Valuing each day properly is one of the gifts of accepting that life is limited.
Next Topic
Arjuna has seen the warriors disappearing into the Lord's mouths. In the next verse, he reaches for an image from nature to make sense of this sight: rivers flowing swiftly toward the ocean.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Time consumes everything made within it.
Many rush toward an end they cannot see.
Strength cannot buy permanence.
What frightens us is still true.
Life is more delicate than it seems.
The end shapes how we value the middle.
What cannot be kept must be held lightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'tvaramāṇāḥ' (rushing hastily) mean here?
Why are the mouths described as 'bhayānakāni' (dreadful)?
What does 'daśhanāntareṣhu' (between the teeth) show?
What is meant by 'chūrṇitair uttamāṅgaiḥ' (with crushed heads)?
Should this verse be taken as a literal scene or as a symbol?
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