Nimitta-Maatra 

November 29, 2025

By: K SIVA PRASAD

A senior IAS officer in the Punjab Government

The Bhagavad Gita was born on the battlefield. Similarly, the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic were no less intense than a battlefield in themselves.  One phrase in the Gita, Nimitta-maatra (just being an instrument in the hands of the Almighty) sums up our role in such situations.

Arjuna wanted to see the reality of Krishna as it is (yathaarth) and needed an extra sense to grasp the same, much like a blind man would need eyesight to see the whole elephant. The Lord granted him this divine vision to behold the Vishwaroop (cosmic form) of Krishna. Apart from showing reality in space, Krishna gives him access to the future where Arjuna sees that many warriors are entering the mouth of death.

The Lord confirms that these warriors would die soon and Arjunais just an instrument in that process. Krishna clarifies that Arjuna is not the Karta (doer) but a nimitta-maatra. He further ensures that Arjuna would be free of ahankaar when he comes out as the victor, as victory is the greatest fuel forahankaar.

At the same time, Krishna didn’t let Arjuna leave the battlefield. Nimitta-maatra is the internal realization and what flows out is bound to be pure as well as free of ahankaar.

Duringthe COVID-19 times, our difficulties were similar to those of Arjuna. With virtually no medical treatment, we got the glimpses ofnimitta-maatra (inside) and did our best in the role assigned (outside). Such glimpses can help us as many concepts of the Gita are understood when we experience them in tough situations of life.

A lump of coal transforms into a diamond under extreme pressure and temperature. Gold is purified in the fire. Similarly, the testing times are breeding grounds to nurture the realization of nimitta-maatra.These have the potential to take us to the eternal state of our inner self through the path of surrender.