Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 28 (BG 11.28) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

# BG 11.28 — Translation of Meaning Eager to meet the ocean? The rivers flowing swiftly toward it are given as a metaphor in this verse. From the very source where a river originates, it receives its distinctive character. At no single point does the river pause, nor does it hesitate to move forward. A person of limited understanding might say that each drop of the river is moving toward some particular place nearby. But the person of true wisdom knows that all rivers flow toward the ocean alone, and until they merge with the ocean, they can neither stop nor will they stop anywhere along their course. When the rivers become one with the ocean, all distinctions between the different rivers cease to exist. Every drop of a river's water has come from the ocean itself. First, as a cloud, it rises to the mountain peaks, and there it manifests as rain. Providing water to the riverbanks, giving life and nourishment to the fields, those drops return with swift current to that source from which they undertook their journey of compassion. In the same way, all individual beings have emerged from the collective whole to serve their society, to nourish their culture, and to contribute to the beauty of the world. Yet not a single person can pause in the midst of this pilgrimage. All must move swiftly toward their original source. The river suffers no loss in reaching the ocean. Though along the way it acquires certain distinctive qualities, which give it a particular name and form, yet this identity is temporary. It is a convenient form taken to abundantly enrich the parched earth with the ocean's waters. The more we reflect upon this verse, the greater the joy contained within it shall be ours.