“As rivers flow into the sea, so these heroes of the human world enter Your blazing mouths.”
Key Teaching: Warriors flow into Krishna’s blazing mouths like rivers to the sea.
Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Vishwarupa Darshana Yoga.
Description:
Arjuna compares warriors entering Krishna’s blazing mouths to rivers flowing into the sea. This verse, continuing 11.27, addresses Arjuna’s vision (2.9, 11.3). The themes of guidance, as Krishna reveals, dharma, as Arjuna sees inevitable fate, and Vishwarupa Darshana Yoga, as he describes the destructive form, are central.
In the Mahabharata, Arjuna’s reluctance (1.28–46) contrasts with Duryodhana’s aggression (1.3–11). The vision of inevitable death supports Arjuna’s Kshatriya duty, aligning with Karma Yoga (2.47, 11.27). Krishna’s form devours all.
Philosophically, this verse addresses the human reality of mortality, a theme Krishna refines with teachings on his role as death (10.34). Arjuna’s vision reflects Krishna’s guidance overcoming reluctance. The theme of Vishwarupa Darshana Yoga underscores the Gita’s focus on divine inevitability.
Sanjaya’s narration frames Arjuna’s words objectively, emphasizing their poetic clarity. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s flow to death, where Krishna’s form consumes. Krishna’s revelation prepares readers for performing duty with divine acceptance, aligning with liberation.