Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 29

English Translation

As moths enter with increased haste into a glowing fire for destruction, in that very way do the creatures enter into Your mouths too, with increased hurry for destruction.

Detailed Commentary

11.29 Commentary—Just as moths, seeing a burning fire in the dark night, become captivated by it and rush quickly towards it. Some of them get burnt in the fire, while others are touched by the light flame, rendering them unable to fly and leaving them writhing; yet, they remain attracted towards that very fire. If someone compassionately extinguishes that fire, those moths become distressed, feeling they have been deprived of a benefit. Similarly, people engrossed in *bhog* (sensory enjoyment) and *sangrah* (accumulation) are rushing with great speed towards Your mouth—meaning, towards destruction. The implication is that people often chase after *bhog*, pleasure, comfort, and honor. In attaining these, they face insult, criticism, loss, and worry, and their lifespan also keeps diminishing. Yet, they remain inwardly yearning for these perishable *bhog* and *sangrah*. Context—Having described both types of beings through examples in the previous two verses, now the terrifying form of the Lord's *Vishvarupa* is being described, where all *lokas* are merging within Him.