Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 11 · Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 11.29 यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गा
श्लोक 11.29
यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गा
विशन्ति नाशाय समृद्धवेगाः ।
तथैव नाशाय विशन्ति लोकास्-
तवापि वक्त्राणि समृद्धवेगाः ॥
yathā pradīptaṃ jvalanaṃ pataṅgā
viśanti nāśāya samṛddhavegāḥ |
tathaiva nāśāya viśanti lokās-
tavāpi vaktrāṇi samṛddhavegāḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जैसे पतंगे नष्ट होने के लिए तेज़ी से जलती आग में घुस जाते हैं, वैसे ही ये लोग भी नष्ट होने के लिए तेज़ी से आपके मुखों में प्रवेश कर रहे हैं।
Meaning in English
As moths rush at full speed into a blazing fire to their destruction, so these beings rush at full speed into your mouths to perish.
Bhagavad Gita 11.29 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यथा | yathā | just as |
| प्रदीप्तम् | pradīptam | blazing |
| ज्वलनम् | jvalanam | fire |
| पतङ्गाः | pataṅgāḥ | moths |
| विशन्ति | viśanti | enter |
| नाशाय | nāśāya | to destruction |
| समृद्धवेगाः | samṛddha-vegāḥ | with full speed |
| तथा एव | tathā eva | just so |
| नाशाय | nāśāya | to destruction |
| विशन्ति | viśanti | enter |
| लोकाः | lokāḥ | these people |
| तव | tava | your |
| अपि | api | also |
| वक्त्राणि | vaktrāṇi | mouths |
| समृद्धवेगाः | samṛddha-vegāḥ | with great speed |
Explanation
As moths rush at full speed into a blazing fire to their own destruction, so these people rush headlong into your mouths to perish. The second simile shows beings hurrying to their end, drawn by their own impulse. It is a picture of beings hurrying blindly towards their own end.
Unlike the rivers of 11.28, moths fly into a flame drawn by their own attraction. Some commentators contrast the two images: the rivers stand for those carried by destiny, while the moths stand for those who rush to ruin through their own desire and folly, like Duryodhana's camp. Others read both as the single truth of mortality. The moth and flame is a common image in Indian literature for being destroyed by what one craves.
भावार्थ
जैसे पतंगे नष्ट होने के लिए बड़े वेग से जलती आग में घुस जाते हैं, वैसे ही ये सब लोग भी नष्ट होने के लिए बड़े वेग से आपके मुखों में प्रवेश कर रहे हैं।
Living it today
Notice what draws you like a flame; not every attraction is good for you, and some lead only to harm.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 11.29?
As moths rush at full speed into a blazing fire to their own destruction, so these people rush headlong into your mouths to perish. The second simile shows beings hurrying to their end, drawn by their own impulse. It is a picture of beings hurrying blindly towards their own end.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.29?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 11 (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 11.29 in daily life?
Notice what draws you like a flame; not every attraction is good for you, and some lead only to harm.
Reflected on verse 11.29?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.