Shloka 8
Uddhava’s Counsel: The Jarāsandha Resolution and Kṛṣṇa’s Arrival at Indraprastha
निमित्तं परमीशस्य विश्वसर्गनिरोधयो: । हिरण्यगर्भ: शर्वश्च कालस्यारूपिणस्तव ॥ ८ ॥
nimittaṁ param īśasya viśva-sarga-nirodhayoḥ hiraṇyagarbhaḥ śarvaś ca kālasyārūpiṇas tava
O Supreme Lord, in the creation and dissolution of the universe even Brahmā and Śiva serve only as Your instruments; ultimately all is accomplished by You in Your unseen aspect as Time.
Uddhava here explains that in fact Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself will cause the death of Jarāsandha, and Bhīma will merely be the instrument. The Supreme Lord, through His invisible potency of time, creates and annihilates the entire cosmic situation, whereas great demigods such as Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva are merely the instruments of the Lord’s will. Therefore Bhīma will have no difficulty acting as the Lord’s instrument to kill the powerful Jarāsandha. In this way, by the Lord’s arrangement, His devotee Bhīma will be glorified.
FAQs
This verse identifies the Lord as the formless principle of Time that governs cosmic creation and dissolution, showing Time to be His potency and expression of supreme control.
Because their cosmic functions—creation by Brahmā and dissolution/transformative power associated with Śiva—operate under the Supreme Lord’s direction, not independently.
It encourages humility and urgency in devotion: since time moves everything toward change, one should prioritize dharma, remembrance of the Lord, and purposeful living over temporary pursuits.