श्रीभगवानुवाच | कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्त: | ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे येऽवस्थिता: प्रत्यनीकेषु योधा: || 32 || |
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The Supreme Lord said:
“I am Time, the destroyer of worlds, who has come forth to annihilate the people.
Even without your participation, all the warriors standing in the opposing armies shall cease to exist.”
Commentary:
Lord Krishna responds to Arjuna’s inquiry about His true identity. Krishna reveals Himself as the embodiment of Time (Kala), the force that brings about the destruction and dissolution of the world. He declares that He has assumed the role of time to carry out the task of destroying the warriors gathered on the battlefield.
Krishna explains that the impending destruction of the warriors is not dependent on Arjuna’s participation in the battle. He states that regardless of Arjuna’s decision to fight or not, all the opposing warriors who have taken their positions on both sides of the battlefield will meet their inevitable fate. The cosmic cycle of time has determined their destiny, and Krishna, as Time personified, will be the instrument of their destruction.
By revealing Himself as Time, Krishna emphasizes the transient nature of the material world and the inevitability of its eventual dissolution. He asserts His supreme authority over life and death, signifying that He alone has the power to decide the fate of all beings.
This verse serves as a reminder of the impermanence of life and the transient nature of worldly existence. It also highlights Krishna’s divine role as the ultimate arbiter of destiny and the orchestrator of cosmic events.