Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 34

English Translation

You destroy Drona and Bhisma, and Jayadratha and Karna as also the other heroic warriors who have been killed by Me. Do not be afraid. Fight! You shall coner the enemies in battle.

Detailed Commentary

।।11.34।। Explanation— 'Droṇam ca Bhīṣmam ca Jayadratham ca Karṇam tathānyānapi yodhavīrān mayā hatāṁstvaṁ jahi' - You, O Arjuna, slay your Guru Droṇācārya, grandsire Bhīṣma, Jayadratha, and Karṇa, and other heroic warriors who were difficult to conquer. Their span of life has ended; they have all already been slain by Me. Therefore, O Arjuna, you slay these valiant warriors who have already been slain by Me. The Lord has already stated 'mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvamev', and here 'mayā hatāṁstvaṁ jahi' implies that you should conquer them, but do not be arrogant, because they have already been slain. 'Mā vyathiṣṭhā yudhyasva' - Arjuna considered slaying Bhīṣma and Droṇa a sin, and this was the cause of his distress. Therefore, the Lord reassures Arjuna not to worry, as slaying them will not incur sin or the fault of violence. You should uphold your Kṣātradharma, fight, and not abandon it. 'Jetāsi raṇe sapatnān' - In this battle, you will conquer your adversaries. Earlier (Gītā 2.6), Arjuna had said that we do not know whether we will win or they will. The Lord dispelled this doubt. The Lord showed Arjuna His Viśvarūpa, which encompassed everything, including who would win. Special Point A sādaka should not be perturbed by the obstacles and attractions that arise in their sādhanā. The Lord assures that all these have been destroyed. If one is unable to rid oneself of evil qualities or conduct, it is not a cause for panic but a lack of reflection that this is possible only through the grace of God. The sādaka should not worry. 'You slay those slain by Me' - this statement means that no one has the right to kill or cause sorrow. One only has the right to serve and bestow happiness. For a Kṣatriya, fulfilling their duty according to Dharma when a righteous battle presents itself does not incur sin. Connection - After witnessing the cosmic form, Arjuna asked who the Lord was and why He had assumed that form. The Lord replied that He was augmented Time and had come to annihilate all. The Lord assured Arjuna of his victory. Thereafter, Sañjaya further narrates what Arjuna did.