Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10, Verse 33

English Translation

Of the letters I am the letter a, and of the group of compund words I am (the compound called) Dvandva. [Dvandva: A compound of two or more words which, if not compounded, would stand in the same case and be connected by the conjunction 'and'.-Tr.] I Mayself am the infinite time; I am the Dispenser with faces everywhere.

Detailed Commentary

'Aksharaanaam Akaaro'smi' — In the alphabet, 'A' (Akaara) comes first. Akaara is primary among both vowels and consonants. Without Akaara, consonants cannot be pronounced. Therefore, the Lord has declared Akaara as His Vibhuti. 'Dvandvah Saamaasikasya cha' — A word formed by combining two or more words is called a Samasa (compound). There are many types of Samasa, such as Avyayibhava, Tatpurusha, Bahuvrihi, and Dvandva. If the first word is principal, it is an 'Avyayibhava Samasa'. If the subsequent word is principal, it is a 'Tatpurusha Samasa'. If both words refer to something else, it is a 'Bahuvrihi Samasa'. If both words are principal, it is a 'Dvandva Samasa'. Since the meaning of both words is primary in a Dvandva Samasa, the Lord has declared it as His Vibhuti. 'Ahamevaakshayah Kaalah' — That Kala (time) which never ends, which is infinite, is indeed the Lord Himself. The time of creation (Sarga) and dissolution (Pralaya) is calculated from the sun. However, during Mahapralaya (the great dissolution), when even the sun merges, time is then reckoned from the Supreme Self (Paramatma). Therefore, Paramatma is Akshaya Kala (imperishable time). What is the difference between the 'Kala' mentioned in the thirtieth verse 'Kaalah Kalayataam Aham' and the 'Akshaya Kala' here? The 'Kala' there changes; it is not static. It is the basis of astrology and the calculation of worldly time. However, the 'Akshaya Kala' here, being the very form (Svarupa) of Paramatma, does not change. That Akshaya Kala devours all and remains unmoving itself. Here, the Lord has declared this Akshaya Kala as His Vibhuti. Further, in the eleventh chapter, the Lord also described Akshaya Kala as His own form by saying 'Kalo'smi' (11.32). 'Dhaataaham Vishvatomukhah' — Having faces on all sides (Vishvatomukha), the Lord's gaze rests upon all beings. Therefore, the Lord is vigilant in sustaining them. The Lord keeps track of what each being needs and when, and delivers that object at the right time. Therefore, the Lord has declared this as His Vibhuti.