Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 26

English Translation

And into You (enter) all those sons of Dhrtarastra along with multitudes of the rulers of the earth; (also) Bhisma, Drona and that son of a Suta (Karna), together with even our prominent warriors.

Detailed Commentary

'Bhishma, Drona, and that Sūtaputra (Karna) as well, along with our chief warriors' – Our principal warriors such as Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Virāṭa, and Drupada are all on the side of Dharma and have come to war merely understanding it as their duty. Along with these generals of ours, Grandfather Bhishma, Āchārya Drona, and that famous Sūtaputra Karna are entering into You. The purpose of naming Bhishma, Drona, and Karna here is that all three of them had come to the war to fulfill their duty. 'And all these sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, along with hosts of kings' – All the kings on Duryodhana's side, who wish to please Duryodhana in the war, meaning those who are not advising Duryodhana for his well-being, along with these groups of kings, Dhṛtarāṣṭra's hundred sons such as Duryodhana, Duḥśāsana, and others, are rapidly entering into Your mouths – Your mouths, terrifying with tusks, frightful, into which they are swiftly entering. In the Virāṭa Rūpa, whether they enter Bhagavān or go into Bhagavān's mouths, it is one and the same divine sport (Līlā). Their destinies appear distinct according to their individual sentiments (Bhāvas). Therefore, whether they go into Bhagavān or into the mouths, they are indeed in the Virāṭa Rūpa. 'Some are seen stuck between the teeth, with their heads crushed.' Just as with food items, some go straight into the stomach, but others get stuck in the teeth. Similarly, of those entering Your mouths, some are going straight inside, but many are seen caught in Your teeth with crushed heads. A doubt arises here: the warriors are currently standing on the battlefield, so how could Arjuna see them in the mouths of the Virāṭa Rūpa? The solution to this is that Bhagavān is showing Arjuna a glimpse of the imminent future. While revealing the Virāṭa Rūpa, Bhagavān had told Arjuna, "Whatever else you wish to see, behold that too in this Virāṭa Rūpa of Mine." Arjuna had a doubt in his mind whether their side would win the war or the Kauravas. Therefore, to dispel that doubt, Bhagavān, by showing Arjuna the scene of the imminent future, as if tells him that their side will indeed win the war. Later, when Arjuna questioned Him, Bhagavān reiterated the same. Arjuna, in the subsequent verse, describes the entry of such men into the Virāṭa Rūpa, using the analogy of rivers, referring to those who have come to war considering it their duty from the perspective of Dharma, and those who seek the attainment of the Supreme Self (Paramātman).