All these sons of Dhritarashtra, with the multitude of monarchs, Bhishma,Drona, and Sutaputra (Karna), as well as our own principal warriors enter precipitately into Your mouth, terrible with long teeth and fearful to be hold. Some are seen hanging between Your teeth, with their heads crushed to powder. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XI – Verse 26 – Verse 27)
Sri Krishna sees that the vision is more than Arjuna can endure. He gives it a different turn. It remains as terrible as before, but Arjuna’s personal safety is ensured. What Arjuna feared for himself happens to the enemy. It means their destruction and his safety: the war will end in his favor. His mind becomes calm, less agitated and then he becomes exultant. Bhagavan is on his side. Confidence is restored and the vision (as we shall see) closes in great splendour and great happiness for Arjuna.
Verily, as the many torrents of rivers flow towards the ocean, so do these heroes in the world of men enter Your fiercely flaming mouths. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XI – Verse 28)
What a beautiful psychological picture we get here, of the working of the human mind – very realistic, very true. The same vision of destruction, but the relationship is changed. There is no more reason for Arjuna to fear. He is safe! Now let happen what will! From fearing and trembling Arjuna becomes quiescent: he becomes the observer. Now he can draw comparisons. He even gives beautiful illustrations of what is taking place.
As moths rush into the burning fire head long to destruction, in the same manner do these creatures rush headlong into Your mouths, only to perish. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XI – Verse 29)
Hurried on by their own karma, by their own nature, these warriors rush to their own destruction, blindly or knowingly. Nothing can prevent them. The cosmic Law is taking its course. Nobody is to blame. There is no cruelty on anyone’s part. It is the law of karma. The Universal Form swallows up everything and He seems to enjoy it.