Quiz · 11.32–11.46
Time, and the occasion
Cover the answer. Read the Devanagari of the verse before you open it.
1
In 11.33, what does the compound nimitta-mātram (निमित्त-मात्रम्) say, and which imperative takes it as predicate?
Answer
A mere occasion. nimitta (निमित्त) is the outward cause. mātra (मात्र) means only that. The imperative is bhava (भव), "be." The men are already struck by him. Arjuna (अर्जुन) is to be nothing more than the occasion.
2
kālaḥ (कालः) meets asmi (अस्मि) in 11.32. What is recited, and which sandhi makes it?
Answer
kālo 'smi (कालोऽस्मि). aḥ (अः) plus a (अ) becomes o (ओ), and ऽ marks the lost a (अ).
3
What does 11.32 say, in one sentence?
Answer
I am time, grown great, destroyer of worlds, set out here to gather the worlds in; even without you, all the warriors arrayed in the opposing armies will not be.
4
Where do 11.32–11.46 sit in the talk between Arjuna (अर्जुन) and Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण)?
Answer
Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण) names the terrible form. He is time, grown great, destroyer of worlds. The warriors are already finished, even without Arjuna (अर्जुन). Therefore stand up, win fame, enjoy the kingdom: they have already been struck by him alone. Be the mere occasion. Strike Droṇa (द्रोण), Bhīṣma (भीष्म), Jayadratha (जयद्रथ), Karṇa (कर्ण), and the other heroes, already struck, and do not tremble. Sañjaya (सञ्जय) says the crowned one hears this trembling and speaks again, stammering. Arjuna (अर्जुन) says the world's praise is in place, asks pardon for having said "friend" and for jokes at play and at meals, and asks to see the familiar form again: crown, mace, discus in hand, four arms.
5
Say 11.32 and the command of 11.33. Which failure shows he thinks he is the one who strikes them first?
Answer
kālo 'smi (कालोऽस्मि), and मया एव एते निहताः पूर्वम् एव mayā eva ete nihatāḥ pūrvam eva, nimitta-mātram bhava (निमित्त-मात्रम् भव). If pūrvam (पूर्वम्) drops out, or if nimitta-mātram (निमित्त-मात्रम्) comes out as the slayer, stay here.