tasmāt tvam uttiṣhṭha yaśho labhasva
jitvā śhatrūn bhuṅkṣhva rājyaṁ samṛiddham
mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvam eva
nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savya-sāchin
tasmāt — therefore;
tvam — you;
uttiṣhṭha — arise;
yaśhaḥ — honor;
labhasva — attain;
jitvā — conquer;
śhatrūn — foes;
bhuṅkṣhva — enjoy;
rājyam — kingdom;
samṛiddham — prosperous;
mayā — by me;
eva — indeed;
ete — these;
nihatāḥ — slain;
pūrvam — already;
eva nimitta-mātram — only an instrument;
bhava — become;
savya-sāchin — Arjun, the one who can shoot arrows with both hands
In this verse, Krishna is speaking to Arjuna, urging him to stand up and get ready to fight in the battle. He tells Arjuna that if he defeats his enemies, he will have a prosperous kingdom to enjoy. Krishna reassures him that the enemies have already been dealt with according to a divine plan; all Arjuna needs to do is act as an instrument in this grand design.
Let’s break this down further. The term "Savyasacin" refers to someone who is skilled at archery. Here, it highlights Arjuna's talent and capability as a warrior. Krishna is reminding Arjuna of his expertise in battle and encourages him to use it.
The key phrase, "Just become an instrument" (*nimitta-mātraṁ*), is very significant. It means that Krishna is asking Arjuna to understand that he is part of a larger plan. Sometimes, people think that everything happens randomly or by chance, but Krishna is telling Arjuna that everything in the universe has a purpose and follows a specific order set by a higher power, which in this context is Krishna himself.
Many people, including scientists, often speculate about how the world works. They try to develop theories about life, creation, and events. However, Krishna is saying that it's not a matter of randomness or uncertain outcomes. There is a definite plan in action, a plan meant to guide souls back to their true home, which is a state of unity with God.
Krishna also explains that as long as people have the mindset of wanting to control everything around them—thinking they can dominate or manage material nature—they will remain trapped in cycles of difficulty. Yet, if someone understands the game plan of the universe and strives to cultivate their connection with Krishna, they are truly wise.
According to Krishna, the events of creation and destruction in the universe do not just happen haphazardly. They occur under the careful management of God. The great battle between Arjuna’s side and the opposing forces was already arranged by Krishna as part of this divine plan. Although Arjuna was initially hesitant and worried about fighting, Krishna was guiding him to step forward and engage in battle. By doing this whole-heartedly, with Krishna's support in his mind, Arjuna would ultimately achieve happiness.
In simple terms, this verse encourages us all to recognize that we often play a part in bigger events. Just like Arjuna, when we face challenges in life, we can turn to higher guidance. If we dedicate ourselves to understanding and aligning with higher principles, we can find fulfillment. Whether it's through our thoughts, actions, or relationships, staying connected with purpose—like Arjuna’s connection to Krishna—can lead us to success and peace.