Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 35

English Translation

Sanjaya said Hearing this utterance of Kesava, Kiriti (Arjuna), with joined palms and trembling, protrating himself, said again to Krsna with a faltering voice, bowing down overcome by fits of fear:

Detailed Commentary

।।11.35।। Explanation—Hearing these words of Keshava, Arjuna, with palms joined and trembling, who was Kiriṭī—Arjuna was already fearful. Then, when Bhagavan declared, "I am Kala, I will consume all," Arjuna became even more terrified. From "Kālo’smi" to "mayā hatānstvaṃ jahi," Bhagavan spoke of utter destruction. Hearing this, Arjuna became frightened and, joining his palms, repeatedly offered salutations. When Arjuna, in aid of Indra, slew Rakshasas such as Kala and Khañja, Indra had bestowed upon him a divine Kiriṭa (crown). Due to this, he was known as Kiriṭī. Here, mentioning 'Kiriṭī' implies that the very Arjuna who had vanquished mighty Rakshasas was now trembling upon beholding Bhagavan's Virat Rupa. "Having offered obeisance, Arjuna, overwhelmed with fear and a choked voice, again addressed Krishna with reverence." Kala devours all, sparing none. This is Bhagavan's saṃhāra-śakti, the power of dissolution. From Bhagavan's exceedingly fierce Virat Rupa, Arjuna understood that Bhagavan is Mahakala. Therefore, Arjuna repeatedly offers obeisance to Bhagavan. 'Bhūyaḥ' signifies that having previously praised Bhagavan from the fifteenth to the thirty-first verse, he now does so again. Speech becomes choked (gadgada) from joy or fear. Here, the context is fear. If Arjuna were exceedingly terrified, he would have been unable to speak. However, Arjuna speaks with a choked voice, which indicates that his fear is not overwhelming. Connection—Now, from the subsequent verse, Arjuna commences his eulogy of Bhagavan.