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Merely an Instrument

In the fear of the universal form Arjuna asks who the fierce figure is. The Lord says 'I am Time' and 'be merely an instrument'. Gita 11.31-35: the verses, their meaning and Arjuna's trembling answer.

In brief

  • The Lord names himself Time and says that even without Arjuna the warriors of the other side will not remain (11.32).
  • 'Be merely an instrument' means do the action, and give up the claim to be the sole maker of the outcome and the fear that comes with it (11.33).
  • It is said to one person inside one vision; freedom from enmity is the Gita's mark of a devotee (11.55, 16.2).
  • Arjuna answers trembling (11.35), and the Lord leaves the choice to him later (18.63).

In the vision of the universal form Arjuna saw the warriors passing into the mouths of a fierce figure. Afraid, he asks who this is. The Lord answers that he is Time, and tells Arjuna to arise and be merely an instrument. These five verses (Gita 11.31–35) are explained here.

Two things are taken from Arjuna: the claim to be the sole maker of the outcome, and the fear that comes from it. Action is not taken. The words are said at one particular moment, to one person, at the edge of a war, and in the Gita freedom from enmity is the mark of a devotee.

This is the sixth stop on Arjuna's Journey. Before it, Arjuna's Questions sets out the order of his questions.

The topic has three readings. The simple reading speaks about the weight of outcomes. The detailed reading goes through the five verses in order. The deeper reading reads the words closely, sets out where commentators differ, and answers objections.

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Same topic, three depths. Pick the one that fits you today; you can switch any time.

Start with Simple →

Simple New to this topic. Plain words, one idea at a time. Do Not Carry Every Outcome Alone: 'Merely an Instrument' in Plain Words 'Merely an instrument' means doing your own work with your whole mind without carrying the burden of being the only cause of the outcome (11.33). 6 min · Read → In Depth Know the basics. Verse by verse, with reasons. What Does 'Be Merely an Instrument' Mean? Gita 11.31-35 Verse by Verse 'Be merely an instrument' means do your own action, and give up the claim to be the sole author of the outcome and the fear that comes with it (11.33). 14 min · Read → Deeper Want the text itself: Sanskrit terms, commentary, close reading. Gita 11.31-35: Time, Merely an Instrument, and Arjuna's Trembling, a Closer Reading These verses are spoken inside a vision, to one person, at the edge of a war; the Lord takes away Arjuna's claim to be the author of the outcome and his fear, not his action (11.32-34). 18 min · Read → Quick summary Short on time. The whole topic in a few minutes. Merely an Instrument: Quick Summary The Lord calls Himself Time and says that even without Arjuna the warriors on the other side will not remain (11.32). 10 min · Read →

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