Seeing your flaming, terrible mouths with their fangs, I can no longer find directions or peace. Be gracious, Lord of the divine beings, dwelling place of the world.
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 11.25
Hindi · हिन्दी
आपके प्रलयकालकी अग्निके समान प्रज्वलित और दाढ़ोंके कारण विकराल भयानक मुखोंको देखकर मुझे न तो दिशाओंका ज्ञान हो रहा है और न शान्ति ही मिल रही है । इसलिये हे देवेश हे जगन्निवास आप प्रसन्न होइये ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
दंष्ट्राकरालानिterrible with fangsचandतेyourमुखानिmouthsदृष्ट्वाhaving seenएवindeedकालानलसन्निभानिresembling the fire of destructionदिशःdirectionsनnotजानेI knowनnotलभेI findचandशर्मpeaceप्रसीदbe graciousदेवेशLord of the divine beingsजगन्निवासdwelling place of the world
Read literallyterrible with fangs · and · your · mouths · having seen · indeed · resembling the fire of destruction · directions · not · I know · not · I find · and · peace · be gracious · Lord of the divine beings · dwelling place of the world
Understanding the verse
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Facing fanged mouths like the fire at the end of time, Arjuna loses his sense of direction and begs for grace.
Arjuna is overwhelmed by Krishna's terrifying cosmic form. He cannot orient himself or find peace, and he begs Krishna to soften and show mercy.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Arjuna is still looking at Krishna's cosmic form. The many fanged mouths blaze like destruction itself, and Arjuna loses all sense of direction and calm. This cry comes from fear, awe, and surrender.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
Lost in a crowd at the Kumbh Mela, a pilgrim cannot tell which way is the river and which the road. Arjuna says the same: no directions, no peace, only the plea for grace.
The takeaway
“Overwhelming power can break the mind open into humility and plea.”
Arjuna is overwhelmed by Krishna's terrifying cosmic form. He cannot orient himself or find peace, and he begs Krishna to soften and show mercy.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.25?
Arjuna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga" (The Universal Form).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 11.25?
Verse 25 sits in Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita — Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga, "The Universal Form". The chapter has 55 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 11.25 matter today?
Lost in a crowd at the Kumbh Mela, a pilgrim cannot tell which way is the river and which the road. Arjuna says the same: no directions, no peace, only the plea for grace.
Facing fanged mouths like the fire at the end of time, Arjuna loses his sense of direction and begs for grace.
What this verse means
Arjuna is overwhelmed by Krishna's terrifying cosmic form. He cannot orient himself or find peace, and he begs Krishna to soften and show mercy.
Context & commentary
Arjuna is still looking at Krishna's cosmic form. The many fanged mouths blaze like destruction itself, and Arjuna loses all sense of direction and calm. This cry comes from fear, awe, and surrender.
What it looks like today
Lost in a crowd at the Kumbh Mela, a pilgrim cannot tell which way is the river and which the road. Arjuna says the same: no directions, no peace, only the plea for grace.
“Overwhelming power can break the mind open into humility and plea.”
Explore related themes: arjuna (52 verses), vishwarupa (50 verses), cosmic form (25 verses)