
11
CHAPTER
VERSE
33
तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व जित्वा शत्रून्भुङ् क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम् |
मयैवैते निहता: पूर्वमेव निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन् || 11.33 ||
Tasmāttvam uttiṣṭha yaśo labhasva jitvā śatrūn bhuṅkṣva rājyaṁ samṛddham |
Mayaivaite nihataḥ pūrvam eva nimittamātraṁ bhava savyasācin ||
Therefore, get up and attain glory. Conquer your enemies and enjoy an affluent kingdom. All these warriors have already been slain by Me, and you are only an instrument in My hands, O Arjuna, the archer (Savyasachin)!
Lesson:
Krishna motivates Arjuna to rise and seize the opportunity for glory and instructs him to conquer his adversaries and enjoy the prosperity of a successful kingdom. Krishna assures Arjuna that all his foes have already been vanquished by him, and Arjuna is merely an instrument in Krishna's divine plan.
Krishna's words reflect his divine assurance and guidance to Arjuna during the tumultuous events of the Kurukshetra war. By urging Arjuna to stand up and fight, Krishna instils courage and determination in his devoted disciple. He reminds Arjuna of his duty as a warrior to uphold righteousness and protect dharma.
The phrase "yasho labhasva" signifies Krishna's promise of attaining glory through righteous action. He assures Arjuna that victory and honour await those who bravely confront challenges and satisfy their responsibilities. By conquering his enemies, Arjuna will not only secure a prosperous kingdom but also earn renown and respect for his valour.
Moreover, Krishna reassures Arjuna of his divine support and intervention in the battle. He reveals that all the warriors arrayed against Arjuna have already been defeated by his divine will. Arjuna is merely an instrument through which Krishna's divine plan unfolds, as symbolized by the epithet "savyasachin," meaning skilled archer.
This verse emphasizes the concept of divine will and human effort (karma). While Krishna assures Arjuna of victory, he also reminds him of the importance of fulfilling his duty with diligence and skill. Arjuna's actions on the battlefield are not driven solely by personal ambition but by a sense of duty and devotion to Krishna.
In essence, this verse encapsulates the essence of the Bhagavad Gita's teachings on duty, righteousness, and surrender to the divine will. Krishna's words serve as a source of inspiration for Arjuna to rise above his doubts and fears, and complete his divine destiny as a noble warrior. It underscores the timeless wisdom that true victory lies in aligning one's actions with dharma and surrendering to the guidance of the divine.