Time Is an Illusion: Krishna’s Perspective on Past, Present, and Future
Nidhi | Mar 20, 2025, 20:49 IST
( Image credit : Pexels )
Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita reveal that time is not linear but cyclical—what seems like an end is merely the beginning of a new phase. Through his conversation with Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Krishna explains that the soul is eternal, beyond the limits of time. This profound understanding frees us from the fear of loss and the pressure of outcomes, guiding us toward true peace and detachment.
What if time is not linear, but a circle? What if the past, present, and future are not separate but exist simultaneously?
Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita challenge our very understanding of time. In a world where we are constantly chasing deadlines, aging, and the pressure to "make it" before time runs out, Krishna’s wisdom offers a profound alternative: time is not something to chase or fear — it is an illusion.
In India, Krishna is not just a divine figure but a timeless teacher whose words have shaped the philosophical and spiritual outlook of generations. His teachings on time, karma, and the soul's immortality are not confined to religious texts — they find relevance in everyday life. Whether it’s the hustle of modern cities or the quiet devotion at Vrindavan’s temples, Krishna’s wisdom influences how millions of people understand life, death, and everything in between.
Understanding Krishna’s perspective on time can shift how we deal with anxiety, attachment, and fear of endings. Let’s explore the key lessons from the Gita that redefine our relationship with time and offer a deeper sense of peace and clarity.
"यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।"
(Yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānirbhavati bhārata)
"Whenever there is a decline in righteousness, O Arjuna, I manifest myself."
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, Verse 7
Western thought often portrays time as a straight line — birth, life, death — moving from one point to another. But Krishna’s teachings present time as a cycle: creation, preservation, and destruction repeat endlessly, much like the changing of seasons.
The Hindu concept of Yugas (ages) reflects this cyclical nature of time. The world moves through four Yugas — Satya Yuga (age of truth), Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga (age of darkness) — after which the cycle begins again. In this framework, there is no final destination, no true beginning or end. Life is a continuous unfolding of events, much like day following night.
Krishna’s perspective suggests that we are not moving toward a fixed point in time; instead, we are flowing through recurring cycles of growth, loss, and renewal. This understanding shifts how we perceive setbacks and failures. If time is a cycle, then every ending is simply the beginning of another phase. Loss is not permanent — it is part of the natural rhythm of existence.
Modern life encourages the pursuit of permanence — stable jobs, lasting relationships, and material success. But Krishna’s teachings remind us that impermanence is natural. The seasons change, tides rise and fall, and even our bodies grow and decay. If we align ourselves with this flow rather than resist it, we can find peace even amidst uncertainty.
"अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते।"
(ananyāśh chintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate)
"Those who worship me with unwavering devotion, I carry what they lack and preserve what they have."
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 9, Verse 22
Krishna teaches that the present moment is where life truly happens. The past is memory; the future is imagination. Only the present holds the truth.
In the modern world, we are often haunted by the past and anxious about the future. Regret and nostalgia keep us tied to what was, while fear and ambition pull us toward what could be. Krishna’s teachings invite us to let go of these illusions and focus on the now.
Imagine a river — the water that has passed is the past, and the water yet to come is the future. But the flow of water beneath your feet is the present — it is where life happens. Krishna teaches that grounding ourselves in the present allows us to act with clarity and purpose, without the weight of past mistakes or the fear of future outcomes.
Mindfulness and living in the present are not modern wellness trends; they are rooted in ancient wisdom. When Krishna asks Arjuna to focus on his duty in the battlefield, he is essentially teaching him to stay present — to act without attachment to the outcome. This is not indifference but a form of freedom.
"न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन् नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः।"
(na jāyate mriyate vā kadāchin nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ)
"The soul is never born and never dies. It has not come into being, nor will it come into being."
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 20
One of the deepest human fears is the fear of death. We see death as the ultimate end — the final loss of identity and existence. Krishna challenges this belief by teaching that the soul (Atman) is eternal. The body may perish, but the soul continues its journey through birth and rebirth.
In Hindu tradition, death is not viewed as an end but as a transition. Cremation rites, the immersion of ashes in sacred rivers, and rituals for the departed reflect this belief in the soul’s continued journey. Krishna’s teachings suggest that death is not to be feared because the soul remains untouched by the cycle of birth and death.
Modern life teaches us to cling to identity — our job, our possessions, our relationships. But Krishna reminds us that these are temporary. Letting go of attachment to the physical allows us to transcend the fear of loss and find peace in knowing that the soul’s journey continues beyond physical existence.
"कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।"
(karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana)
"You have a right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions."
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 47
Krishna’s teaching on karma reveals that time and action are deeply connected. The actions we take today shape the future — but we are not in control of the outcome. Krishna teaches Arjuna to focus on his duty (dharma) without attachment to the result.
This lesson applies directly to modern life. Anxiety over results — career success, financial stability, personal achievements — stems from the illusion that we control the future. Krishna’s wisdom suggests otherwise: focus on sincere effort, and the outcome will unfold as it should.
Letting go of attachment to results allows us to act with clarity and purpose, free from the burden of fear and expectation. The future is shaped not by control but by action rooted in integrity.
"कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो।"
(kālo'smi loka-kṣhaya-kṛit pravṛiddho)
"I am time, the great destroyer of the worlds."
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 11, Verse 32
In his universal form (Vishwaroopa), Krishna reveals himself as time — both creator and destroyer. Time is not the enemy; it is a force of balance. Destruction makes way for creation.
Endings, therefore, are not tragic — they are necessary for growth and renewal. A closed door allows for a new one to open. Krishna teaches that surrendering to the flow of time allows us to embrace this natural process rather than fear it.
Final Thought
As Arjuna stood frozen on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, his bow slipping from his hands, he turned to Krishna with trembling doubt.
Arjuna: "How can I fight, Madhava? How can I strike down my own kin? What meaning is there in victory if it comes at such a cost?"
Krishna’s gaze was steady as he replied:
"अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे।
गतासूनगतासूंश्च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः॥" (Bhagavad Gita 2.11)
(“You grieve for those who should not be grieved for; yet you speak words of wisdom. The wise do not mourn for the living or the dead.”)
Krishna reminded Arjuna that life and death, success and failure, are but moments in the eternal cycle of existence. The soul is neither born nor destroyed; it transcends the limits of time. To cling to outcomes or fear endings is to misunderstand the nature of existence itself.
Krishna’s message wasn’t about indifference—it was about freedom. We chase beginnings and fear endings, forgetting that both are part of the same flow. True peace comes not from trying to control time but from trusting its rhythm. When we act without attachment and surrender to the cycle of life, we discover that the end is never really the end—it's simply another beginning.
Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita challenge our very understanding of time. In a world where we are constantly chasing deadlines, aging, and the pressure to "make it" before time runs out, Krishna’s wisdom offers a profound alternative: time is not something to chase or fear — it is an illusion.
In India, Krishna is not just a divine figure but a timeless teacher whose words have shaped the philosophical and spiritual outlook of generations. His teachings on time, karma, and the soul's immortality are not confined to religious texts — they find relevance in everyday life. Whether it’s the hustle of modern cities or the quiet devotion at Vrindavan’s temples, Krishna’s wisdom influences how millions of people understand life, death, and everything in between.
Understanding Krishna’s perspective on time can shift how we deal with anxiety, attachment, and fear of endings. Let’s explore the key lessons from the Gita that redefine our relationship with time and offer a deeper sense of peace and clarity.
1. Time Is Cyclical, Not Linear
Time is Constant
( Image credit : Pexels )
(Yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānirbhavati bhārata)
"Whenever there is a decline in righteousness, O Arjuna, I manifest myself."
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, Verse 7
Western thought often portrays time as a straight line — birth, life, death — moving from one point to another. But Krishna’s teachings present time as a cycle: creation, preservation, and destruction repeat endlessly, much like the changing of seasons.
The Hindu concept of Yugas (ages) reflects this cyclical nature of time. The world moves through four Yugas — Satya Yuga (age of truth), Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga (age of darkness) — after which the cycle begins again. In this framework, there is no final destination, no true beginning or end. Life is a continuous unfolding of events, much like day following night.
Krishna’s perspective suggests that we are not moving toward a fixed point in time; instead, we are flowing through recurring cycles of growth, loss, and renewal. This understanding shifts how we perceive setbacks and failures. If time is a cycle, then every ending is simply the beginning of another phase. Loss is not permanent — it is part of the natural rhythm of existence.
Modern life encourages the pursuit of permanence — stable jobs, lasting relationships, and material success. But Krishna’s teachings remind us that impermanence is natural. The seasons change, tides rise and fall, and even our bodies grow and decay. If we align ourselves with this flow rather than resist it, we can find peace even amidst uncertainty.
2. The Present Is All That Truly Exists
Chaos
( Image credit : Pexels )
(ananyāśh chintayanto māṁ ye janāḥ paryupāsate)
"Those who worship me with unwavering devotion, I carry what they lack and preserve what they have."
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 9, Verse 22
Krishna teaches that the present moment is where life truly happens. The past is memory; the future is imagination. Only the present holds the truth.
In the modern world, we are often haunted by the past and anxious about the future. Regret and nostalgia keep us tied to what was, while fear and ambition pull us toward what could be. Krishna’s teachings invite us to let go of these illusions and focus on the now.
Imagine a river — the water that has passed is the past, and the water yet to come is the future. But the flow of water beneath your feet is the present — it is where life happens. Krishna teaches that grounding ourselves in the present allows us to act with clarity and purpose, without the weight of past mistakes or the fear of future outcomes.
Mindfulness and living in the present are not modern wellness trends; they are rooted in ancient wisdom. When Krishna asks Arjuna to focus on his duty in the battlefield, he is essentially teaching him to stay present — to act without attachment to the outcome. This is not indifference but a form of freedom.
3. Fear of Death Is Rooted in Attachment
Fear
( Image credit : Pexels )
(na jāyate mriyate vā kadāchin nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ)
"The soul is never born and never dies. It has not come into being, nor will it come into being."
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 20
One of the deepest human fears is the fear of death. We see death as the ultimate end — the final loss of identity and existence. Krishna challenges this belief by teaching that the soul (Atman) is eternal. The body may perish, but the soul continues its journey through birth and rebirth.
In Hindu tradition, death is not viewed as an end but as a transition. Cremation rites, the immersion of ashes in sacred rivers, and rituals for the departed reflect this belief in the soul’s continued journey. Krishna’s teachings suggest that death is not to be feared because the soul remains untouched by the cycle of birth and death.
Modern life teaches us to cling to identity — our job, our possessions, our relationships. But Krishna reminds us that these are temporary. Letting go of attachment to the physical allows us to transcend the fear of loss and find peace in knowing that the soul’s journey continues beyond physical existence.
4. Karma and Time Are Intertwined
Time
( Image credit : Pexels )
(karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana)
"You have a right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions."
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 47
Krishna’s teaching on karma reveals that time and action are deeply connected. The actions we take today shape the future — but we are not in control of the outcome. Krishna teaches Arjuna to focus on his duty (dharma) without attachment to the result.
This lesson applies directly to modern life. Anxiety over results — career success, financial stability, personal achievements — stems from the illusion that we control the future. Krishna’s wisdom suggests otherwise: focus on sincere effort, and the outcome will unfold as it should.
Letting go of attachment to results allows us to act with clarity and purpose, free from the burden of fear and expectation. The future is shaped not by control but by action rooted in integrity.
5. Krishna as Time — The Great Equalizer
Time Will Teach The Lesson
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
(kālo'smi loka-kṣhaya-kṛit pravṛiddho)
"I am time, the great destroyer of the worlds."
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 11, Verse 32
In his universal form (Vishwaroopa), Krishna reveals himself as time — both creator and destroyer. Time is not the enemy; it is a force of balance. Destruction makes way for creation.
Endings, therefore, are not tragic — they are necessary for growth and renewal. A closed door allows for a new one to open. Krishna teaches that surrendering to the flow of time allows us to embrace this natural process rather than fear it.
Final Thought
Arjuna: "How can I fight, Madhava? How can I strike down my own kin? What meaning is there in victory if it comes at such a cost?"
Krishna’s gaze was steady as he replied:
"अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे।
गतासूनगतासूंश्च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः॥" (Bhagavad Gita 2.11)
(“You grieve for those who should not be grieved for; yet you speak words of wisdom. The wise do not mourn for the living or the dead.”)
Krishna reminded Arjuna that life and death, success and failure, are but moments in the eternal cycle of existence. The soul is neither born nor destroyed; it transcends the limits of time. To cling to outcomes or fear endings is to misunderstand the nature of existence itself.
Krishna’s message wasn’t about indifference—it was about freedom. We chase beginnings and fear endings, forgetting that both are part of the same flow. True peace comes not from trying to control time but from trusting its rhythm. When we act without attachment and surrender to the cycle of life, we discover that the end is never really the end—it's simply another beginning.