Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 11 · Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 11.28 यथा नदीनां बहवोऽम्बुवेगाः
श्लोक 11.28
यथा नदीनां बहवोऽम्बुवेगाः
समुद्रमेवाभिमुखा द्रवन्ति ।
तथा तवामी नरलोकवीरा
विशन्ति वक्त्राण्यभिविज्वलन्ति ॥
yathā nadīnāṃ bahavo'mbuvegāḥ
samudramevābhimukhā dravanti |
tathā tavāmī naralokavīrā
viśanti vaktrāṇyabhivijvalanti ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जैसे नदियों की अनेक धाराएँ समुद्र की ओर ही दौड़ती हैं, वैसे ही मनुष्य लोक के ये वीर आपके जलते हुए मुखों में प्रवेश कर रहे हैं।
Meaning in English
As the many currents of rivers race towards the ocean, so these heroes of the human world are entering your flaming mouths.
Bhagavad Gita 11.28 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यथा | yathā | just as |
| नदीनाम् | nadīnām | of rivers |
| बहवः | bahavaḥ | many |
| अम्बुवेगाः | ambu-vegāḥ | rushing currents of water |
| समुद्रम् | samudram | to the ocean |
| एव | eva | only |
| अभिमुखाः | abhimukhāḥ | facing towards |
| द्रवन्ति | dravanti | flow |
| तथा | tathā | so |
| तव | tava | your |
| अमी | amī | these |
| नरलोकवीराः | nara-loka-vīrāḥ | heroes of the human world |
| विशन्ति | viśanti | enter |
| वक्त्राणि | vaktrāṇi | mouths |
| अभिविज्वलन्ति | abhivijvalanti | flaming on all sides |
Explanation
As the many rushing currents of rivers flow straight towards the ocean, so these heroes of the world of men are entering your flaming mouths. Arjuna compares the warriors' movement to rivers running into the sea. The image is vast and strangely calm, like water returning home.
This verse and the next offer two similes for the same sight. Rivers flow to the sea by their nature, without choice; some commentators take this as the image of the nobler warriors, carried along by the course of destiny and duty. The ocean is also an old image for the infinite, where all names and forms merge. Read this way, the warriors are not lost in darkness but return to the source from which they came.
भावार्थ
जैसे नदियों के अनेक जल-प्रवाह समुद्र की ओर ही दौड़ते हैं, वैसे ही मनुष्य-लोक के ये वीर आपके प्रज्वलित मुखों में प्रवेश कर रहे हैं। सब अन्त में उसी एक स्रोत में लौट जाते हैं।
Living it today
Every life flows towards the same ocean; let that bring you calm rather than fear as you go about your work.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 11.28?
As the many rushing currents of rivers flow straight towards the ocean, so these heroes of the world of men are entering your flaming mouths. Arjuna compares the warriors' movement to rivers running into the sea. The image is vast and strangely calm, like water returning home.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.28?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 11 (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 11.28 in daily life?
Every life flows towards the same ocean; let that bring you calm rather than fear as you go about your work.
Reflected on verse 11.28?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.