Bhagavad Gita — Vishwarupa Darshana Yoga, Shloka 33
Vishwarupa Darshana Yoga
तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व जित्वा शत्रून् भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम् । मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन् ॥
tasmāt tvam uttiṣṭha yaśo labhasva jitvā śatrūn bhuṅkṣva rājyaṁ samṛddham | mayaivaiste nihatāḥ pūrvam eva nimittamātraṁ bhava savyasācin ||
Therefore arise; win glory. Conquering the foes, enjoy a prosperous kingdom. By Me indeed have these already been slain; be thou merely an instrument, O Savyasācin.
इसलिए तुम उठो, यश प्राप्त करो; शत्रुओं को जीतकर समृद्ध राज्य का उपभोग करो। ये पहले ही मेरे द्वारा निहत हैं; हे सव्यसाचिन्, तुम केवल निमित्तमात्र बनो।
Therefore arise and gain renown; having overcome the opponents, enjoy a prosperous kingship. By me alone they have been brought to their end already; be merely an instrument, O Savyasācin.
Nimittamātra is crucial: some readings emphasize theological determinism, others interpret it as exhortation to align personal agency with dharma while recognizing the larger causal order.
FAQs
‘Be an instrument’ reduces paralyzing self-blame and fear, shifting attention from ego-centered outcomes to committed action guided by principle.
It articulates a layered model of causality: ultimate causation is attributed to the cosmic order, while the individual still participates as a proximate cause.
Following the identification with Time, Krishna reframes Arjuna’s role: the narrative outcome is set within the cosmic vision, yet Arjuna must act according to his dharma.
It supports leadership and service ethics: do what is required with excellence, but avoid possessiveness over results and identity.