Bhagavad Gita 11.32 — I Am Time, the Mighty Destroyer of Worlds
श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः ।
ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे येऽवस्थिताः प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः ॥ ११.३२ ॥
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The Blessed Lord said: I am Time, the mighty destroyer of the worlds, engaged here in annihilating the worlds. Even without you, all these warriors standing in the opposing armies shall cease to exist.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kālaḥ | Time |
| asmi | I am |
| loka-kṣhaya-kṛit | the destroyer of the worlds |
| pravṛiddhaḥ | fully grown; mighty |
| lokān | the worlds; the beings |
| samāhartum | to annihilate; to withdraw |
| iha | here; now |
| pravṛittaḥ | engaged |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| ṛite | without |
| api | even |
| tvām | you |
| na | not |
| bhaviṣhyanti | will exist |
| sarve | all |
| ye | who |
| avasthitāḥ | standing; arrayed |
| pratyanīkeṣhu | in the opposing armies |
| yodhāḥ | warriors |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kālaḥ | Time | ṛite | without |
| asmi | I am | api | even |
| loka-kṣhaya-kṛit | the destroyer of the worlds | tvām | you |
| pravṛiddhaḥ | fully grown; mighty | na | not |
| lokān | the worlds; the beings | bhaviṣhyanti | will exist |
| samāhartum | to annihilate; to withdraw | sarve | all |
| iha | here; now | ye | who |
| pravṛittaḥ | engaged | avasthitāḥ | standing; arrayed |
| pratyanīkeṣhu | in the opposing armies | ||
| yodhāḥ | warriors | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna answers Arjuna's question directly: he is Time, mighty and expanded, engaged in destroying the worlds. Even without Arjuna's action, none of the warriors in the opposing armies will survive.
Essence
I Am Time, the Destroyer of Worlds
This is the Lord's first spoken answer in the chapter, and it is among the most powerful statements in the Gita. In a single sentence he explains the whole terrifying vision.
Kālo'smi (I am Time): Kāla is time, the force that carries every being from birth through change to death. Nothing in the world escapes it. By identifying himself with time, the Lord shows that what Arjuna feared as a personal act of killing is actually the working of a cosmic process.
Loka-kṣaya-kṛt pravṛddhaḥ (the mighty cause of the world's destruction): The word pravṛddha means fully grown. Time has matured and the moment of dissolution has arrived for this great gathering of warriors.
Lokān samāhartum iha pravṛttaḥ (engaged here in withdrawing the worlds): The Lord is occupied with the task of gathering back what has run its course. Dissolution is as much a part of the divine order as creation.
Ṛte'pi tvāṁ na bhaviṣyanti sarve (even without you, none will remain): The outcome of the war is already decided. Arjuna's refusal would not save anyone, because the process does not depend on him.
Message for Everyday Life (Respecting the Power of Time)
Time moves on whether we are ready or not: Delay and denial do not stop change. Wise people learn to act while the opportunity exists.
Practical approach: Use your time on what truly matters: your duties, relationships and inner growth. Do not postpone what is meaningful while waiting for a perfect moment.
I Am Time, the Destroyer of Worlds
This is the Lord's first spoken answer in the chapter, and it is among the most powerful statements in the Gita. In a single sentence he explains the whole terrifying vision.
Kālo'smi (I am Time): Kāla is time, the force that carries every being from birth through change to death. Nothing in the world escapes it. By identifying himself with time, the Lord shows that what Arjuna feared as a personal act of killing is actually the working of a cosmic process.
Loka-kṣaya-kṛt pravṛddhaḥ (the mighty cause of the world's destruction): The word pravṛddha means fully grown. Time has matured and the moment of dissolution has arrived for this great gathering of warriors.
Lokān samāhartum iha pravṛttaḥ (engaged here in withdrawing the worlds): The Lord is occupied with the task of gathering back what has run its course. Dissolution is as much a part of the divine order as creation.
Ṛte'pi tvāṁ na bhaviṣyanti sarve (even without you, none will remain): The outcome of the war is already decided. Arjuna's refusal would not save anyone, because the process does not depend on him.
Message for Everyday Life (Respecting the Power of Time)
Time moves on whether we are ready or not: Delay and denial do not stop change. Wise people learn to act while the opportunity exists.
Practical approach: Use your time on what truly matters: your duties, relationships and inner growth. Do not postpone what is meaningful while waiting for a perfect moment.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has revealed that he is Time and that the outcome is already settled. In the next verse, he draws the practical conclusion for Arjuna: rise, act, and become merely an instrument.
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 the one force no one can negotiate with.
You are not the only author of outcomes.
Plain answers are a form of compassion.
Peace begins where control ends.
Every ending is already on the calendar.
See the larger design before despairing.
Act, but do not claim the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'kālaḥ' (Time) mean in this verse?
What is meant by 'loka-kṣhaya-kṛit' (destroyer of the worlds)?
What does 'ṛite 'pi tvām' (even without you) imply?
Who are the 'pratyanīkeṣhu yodhāḥ' (warriors in opposing armies)?
Does this verse justify violence?
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