The Cosmic Scale of Time

Bhagavad Gita

This flow traces the expansion of the battlefield crisis into a vision of creation, destruction, and eternal time.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Cycles of Creation Cycles of Creation from "Bhagavad Gita". Cycles of Creation Repeated Emergence Krishna describes beings arising at the beginning of a Kalpa and returning to his nature at its close.

Cycles of Creation from "Bhagavad Gita". Cycles of Creation Repeated Emergence Krishna describes beings arising at the beginning of a Kalpa and returning to his nature at its close.

Cycles of Creation Repeated Emergence Krishna describes beings arising at the beginning of a Kalpa and returning to his nature at its close. Impersonal Continuity Individual events become moments within vast cycles of manifestation and dissolution. Narrative Importance The war is placed inside a universe that repeatedly creates and absorbs worlds.

Day and Night Day and Night from "Bhagavad Gita". Day and Night Cosmic Alternation The Day of Brahma brings manifestation, while the Night of Brahma draws beings back into the unmanifest.

Day and Night from "Bhagavad Gita". Day and Night Cosmic Alternation The Day of Brahma brings manifestation, while the Night of Brahma draws beings back into the unmanifest.

Day and Night Cosmic Alternation The Day of Brahma brings manifestation, while the Night of Brahma draws beings back into the unmanifest. Relative Permanence Even immense cosmic durations remain temporary beside the imperishable reality Krishna describes. Narrative Importance The doctrine diminishes worldly permanence without denying the significance of right action.

Universal Form Universal Form from "Bhagavad Gita". Universal Form Total Vision Arjuna sees gods, creatures, warriors, weapons, and worlds gathered within Krishna's immeasurable form.

Universal Form from "Bhagavad Gita". Universal Form Total Vision Arjuna sees gods, creatures, warriors, weapons, and worlds gathered within Krishna's immeasurable form.

Universal Form Total Vision Arjuna sees gods, creatures, warriors, weapons, and worlds gathered within Krishna's immeasurable form. Collapse of Boundaries Creator, destroyer, future, and present appear simultaneously rather than as separate moments. Narrative Importance The personal teacher becomes the visible structure of reality itself.

Death as Time Death as Time from "Bhagavad Gita". Death as Time Terrible Disclosure Krishna identifies himself as Death, the destroyer of worlds, already consuming the assembled warriors.

Death as Time from "Bhagavad Gita". Death as Time Terrible Disclosure Krishna identifies himself as Death, the destroyer of worlds, already consuming the assembled warriors.

Death as Time Terrible Disclosure Krishna identifies himself as Death, the destroyer of worlds, already consuming the assembled warriors. Limits of Control Arjuna's choice cannot prevent the larger destruction, though it determines whether he participates honorably. Narrative Importance Death becomes a cosmic function rather than merely a personal tragedy.

Return to Human Form Return to Human Form from "Bhagavad Gita". Return to Human Form Fearful Reverence Arjuna asks Krishna to resume the familiar form that allows affection and comprehension.

Return to Human Form from "Bhagavad Gita". Return to Human Form Fearful Reverence Arjuna asks Krishna to resume the familiar form that allows affection and comprehension.

Return to Human Form Fearful Reverence Arjuna asks Krishna to resume the familiar form that allows affection and comprehension. Restored Intimacy Krishna returns to his gentle appearance and comforts the frightened warrior. Narrative Importance The book balances cosmic terror with the possibility of a personal relationship to the divine.

during the teaching on cosmic manifestation

during the teaching on Brahma's cycles

at the center of the cosmic revelation

immediately within the universal vision

after Arjuna's plea for reassurance