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The Bhagavad Gita1458
as I gazeth upon them, I see the battlehosts rushing into Thy gaping, fiery
mouths and frightful rows of teeth! Yea, many are caught between Thy teeth,
and are mangled and ground to a pulp.
“Even as the floods from swollen streams pour tumultuously into the sea,
so pour and rush these living streams of warriors into Thy flaming mouths,
with much haste, as if seeking their own destruction. Yea, even as the evening
moths, in great number, fly with quickening speed, and find their destruction
in the bright flame, so do these generals, chiefs and warriors pour into Thy
flaming mouths, and are consumed and reduced unto dust and powder.
“I see Thee, with thy blazing mouths, drawing in, devouring, swallowing
and consuming all mankind, on all sides, and without limit, while thy fiery
beams shine forth with dreadful force filling the Universe. Verily, Thou
consumeth the worlds, O Krishna, Lord of All! Prostrate before Thee I fall,
and with joined palms I pray to Thee, O Lord! But even as I pray in awe
of Thee—yet do I beg of Thee to inform me what is this that I see in Thee?
Where and what are Thou, in thine Own Aspect?”
Krishna: “Thou seest me as Time, fully matured and complete—the
Destroyer of Mankind—who cometh hither to seize and consume all those
who stand before Me. Knoweth thou, that excepting thyself who shall be
saved, not one of these many warriors ranged here in battle array, confronting
each other with fierce resolve—yea, not even one else shall escape Me.
“Wherefore arise and fight thy fight! Play well thy part as warrior and
chief! Win for thyself the renown and fame of battle! Conquer thy foes!
Enter into and enjoy the conquered kingdom! For know that, by me, already
art they overcome and conquered—thou art only mine immediate agent—
the instrument to execute the decree of that which men call Fate. Then do
thou slay Drona, and Bhishma, and Jayadratha, and Karna, and all the other
warriors of the field, for they are already killed by Me in Destiny and Law.
Fight then without fear or holding back, and thou shalt destroy thy rivals
and enemies of the opposing hosts! Fight, Arjuna—Fight!”