वक्त्राणि ते त्वरमाणा विशन्ति दंष्ट्राकरालानि भयानकानि। केचिद्विलग्ना दशनान्तरेषु संदृश्यन्ते चूर्णितैरुत्तमाङ्गैः।।11.27।।
vaktrāṇi te tvaramāṇā viśanti daṃṣṭrākārālāni bhayānakāni. kecid vilagnā daśanāntareṣu saṃdṛśyante cūrṇitair uttamāṅgaiḥ.
Translation
Your mouths, rushing forward, become terrible, tusked fangs; some, stuck between the teeth, are seen with shattered, supreme limbs.
Word Meanings
वक्त्राणि — mouths; ते — your; त्वरमाणा — hastening; विशन्ति — entering; दंष्ट्र — tusks; करालानि — terrible; भयानकानि — dreadful; केचिद् — some; विलग्ना — sticking; दशनान्तरेषु — between the teeth; संदृश्यन्ते — are seen; चूर्णितैः — with broken; उत्तमाङ्गैः — supreme limbs
Understanding the Verse
In this vivid portion of the eleventh chapter, Arjuna beholds the cosmic form of Lord Krishna, a vision that transcends ordinary perception. The verse describes innumerable terrifying mouths that surge forward like fierce beasts. Each "वक्त्र" (mouth) is not merely a physical opening but a portal through which divine energy manifests. The adjective "त्वरमाणा" (hastening) emphasizes the rapid, unstoppable motion of these mouths, conveying a sense of urgency and power as they pierce the battlefield.
The term "दंष्ट्राकरालानि" combines "दंष्ट्र" (tusks or teeth) with "कराल" (ferocious), painting an image of monstrous jaws that inspire awe and dread. Such ferocity reflects the overwhelming nature of the divine manifestation, where ordinary limits of form dissolve into a sublime, terrifying totality. The description "भयानकानि" reinforces this impression, indicating that the mouths are indeed fearsome, embodying the raw, uncontainable energy of the Supreme.
Arjuna notices that "केचिद् विलग्ना दशनान्तरेषु" – some of these mouths are lodged between the teeth themselves, illustrating a layered complexity: within the larger, terrifying maw, there exist smaller, distinct entities that remain visible. This suggests the presence of countless individual souls and divine aspects coexisting within the universal form, each retaining its identity yet merging into the whole.
The phrase "संदृश्यन्ते चूर्णितैः उत्तमाङ्गैः" highlights that these mouths are observed with "भ्रष्ट" (broken) and "उत्तमाङ्ग" (supreme limbs). The broken limbs may symbolize the dissolution of material bodies in the presence of the divine, while the reference to "उत्तमाङ्ग" underscores the ultimate, perfected nature of the cosmic form. Thus, the verse captures both destruction and exaltation – the earthly forms are shattered, yet the divine remains supreme.
From a philosophical standpoint, this verse underscores the concept of "विभूति" (manifestations of divine power) that pervade the universe. The terrifying mouths represent the inevitable destruction of ego and illusion, while the visible fragments hint at the lingering aspects of individual consciousness within the grand tapestry of the divine. Arjuna's realization of this duality—fearsome yet magnificent—serves as a turning point, guiding him toward surrender and devotion.
In the larger narrative of Chapter 11, this verse contributes to the crescendo of Krishna’s universal form, where all cosmic forces—creation, preservation, and dissolution—are simultaneously expressed. The imagery of ferocious mouths and broken limbs invites the reader to contemplate the impermanence of the material world and the timeless, all-encompassing reality that lies beyond. By confronting these awe‑inspiring visions, Arjuna—and through him, the seeker—learns to transcend fear and recognize the ultimate truth of the divine as both terrifying and benevolent.
