Chapter 11

Vishwaroopa Darshana Yoga

विश्वरूपदर्शनयोग

Viśhwarūp Darśhan Yog•“Yoga through Beholding the Cosmic Form of God”•55 Verses

A Reading - Rantideb

Chapter 10 ended by saying the long list was still only a fragment. Chapter 11 answers Arjuna's natural next request, if that's only a fragment, show me the whole thing, and Krishna actually does, granting Arjuna divine sight to behold his universal form, countless mouths, eyes, and forms, all of existence contained at once, an experience so overwhelming that Arjuna begs him to return to his familiar, human shape. Why this matters: it's a rare moment in any tradition where someone gets exactly what they asked for and finds it genuinely too much to bear, not because the vision was false, but because it was real at a scale human perception isn't built to comfortably hold. In life, this is the chapter for the difference between wanting the full truth of something in the abstract and actually encountering its full scale directly, a huge diagnosis, an overwhelming responsibility, the full weight of a loss. The teaching is that it's not weakness to ask for the more familiar, graspable form of something vast after glimpsing its full scale, that's not failure, it's simply how limited beings stay able to keep functioning and relating to what's genuinely enormous.

Chapter Summary

The eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is "Vishwaroopa Darshana Yoga". In this chapter, Arjuna requests Krishna to reveal His Universal Cosmic Form that encompasses all the universes, the entire existence. Arjuna is granted divine vision to be able to see the entirety of creation in the body of the Supreme Lord Krishna.

Verses in this Chapter (55)

Verse 1

अर्जुन उवाच मदनुग्रहाय परमं गुह्यमध्यात्मसंज्ञितम्। यत्त्वयोक्तं वचस्तेन मोहोऽयं विगतो मम।।11.1।।

Arjuna said, "To show favor to me, You have told me that most profound mystery concerning the Self; by that, this delusion of mine has been dispelled."

Verse 2

भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया। त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम्।।11.2।।

O Krsna, I have heard in detail about the origin and dissolution of all beings, which come from You, as well as Your immutable greatness.

Verse 3

एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर। द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम।।11.3।।

O Supreme Lord, as You have described Yourself, so You are. I wish to behold Your divine form, O Supreme Person.

Verse 4

मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो। योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयाऽत्मानमव्ययम्।।11.4।।

If you think, O Lord, that it can be seen by me, then, O Lord of Yoga, reveal Yourself fully to me.

Verse 5

श्री भगवानुवाच पश्य मे पार्थ रूपाणि शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः। नानाविधानि दिव्यानि नानावर्णाकृतीनि च।।11.5।।

The Lord said, "Behold, O Arjuna, My forms, hundreds upon thousands, manifold, divine, varied in hue and shape."

Verse 6

पश्यादित्यान्वसून्रुद्रानश्िवनौ मरुतस्तथा। बहून्यदृष्टपूर्वाणि पश्याऽश्चर्याणि भारत।।11.6।।

Behold, O Arjuna, the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the two Asvins, and the Maruts - many marvels never seen before.

Verse 7

इहैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम्। मम देहे गुडाकेश यच्चान्यद्द्रष्टुमिच्छसि।।11.7।।

Behold here, O Arjuna, the entire universe with its mobile and immobile things, all centered in My body, and whatever else you desire to see.

Verse 8

न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा। दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षुः पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम्।।11.8।।

But you will not be able to see Me with your own eyes. I give you a divine eye, so behold My Lordly Yoga!

Verse 9

सञ्जय उवाच एवमुक्त्वा ततो राजन्महायोगेश्वरो हरिः। दर्शयामास पार्थाय परमं रूपमैश्वरम्।।11.9।।

Sanjaya said, "O King, having spoken, Sri Krishna, the great Lord of Yoga, then revealed to Arjuna the supreme, lordly form."

Verse 10

अनेकवक्त्रनयनमनेकाद्भुतदर्शनम्। अनेकदिव्याभरणं दिव्यानेकोद्यतायुधम्।।11.10।।

With innumerable mouths and eyes, many marvelous aspects, numerous divine ornaments, and numerous divine weapons.

Verse 11

दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरं दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनम्। सर्वाश्चर्यमयं देवमनन्तं विश्वतोमुखम्।।11.11।।

Wearing celestial garlands and raiments, anointed with divine perfumes, full of wonders, resplendent, boundless, and facing all directions.

Verse 12

दिवि सूर्यसहस्रस्य भवेद्युगपदुत्थिता। यदि भाः सदृशी सा स्याद्भासस्तस्य महात्मनः।।11.12।।

If a thousand suns were to rise at once in the sky, the resulting splendour would be like the splendour of that mighty One.

Verse 13

तत्रैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं प्रविभक्तमनेकधा। अपश्यद्देवदेवस्य शरीरे पाण्डवस्तदा।।11.13।।

There, Arjuna beheld the whole universe, with its manifold divisions gathered together in one single spot within the body of the God of gods.

Verse 14

ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो हृष्टरोमा धनञ्जयः। प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं कृताञ्जलिरभाषत।।11.14।।

Then, Arjuna, overcome with amazement, his hairs standing on end, bowed his head to the Lord and spoke with folded hands.

Verse 15

अर्जुन उवाच पश्यामि देवांस्तव देव देहे सर्वांस्तथा भूतविशेषसङ्घान्। ब्रह्माणमीशं कमलासनस्थ मृषींश्च सर्वानुरगांश्च दिव्यान्।।11.15।।

Arjuna said, "O Lord, I behold in Your body all the gods, and all the diverse hosts of beings - Brahma, Siva, who is in Brahma, the seers, and the lustrous snakes."

Verse 16

अनेकबाहूदरवक्त्रनेत्रं पश्यामि त्वां सर्वतोऽनन्तरूपम्। नान्तं न मध्यं न पुनस्तवादिं पश्यामि विश्वेश्वर विश्वरूप।।11.16।।

With manifold arms, stomachs, mouths, and eyes, I behold Your infinite form on all sides. I see no end, no middle, nor the beginning of You, O Lord of the universe, O You of Universal Form.

Verse 17

किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रिणं च तेजोराशिं सर्वतोदीप्तिमन्तम्। पश्यामि त्वां दुर्निरीक्ष्यं समन्ता द्दीप्तानलार्कद्युतिमप्रमेयम्।।11.17।।

I behold You as a mass of light, shining everywhere, with a diadem, mace, and discus, hard to behold, blazing like a burning fire and the sun, and immeasurable.

Verse 18

त्वमक्षरं परमं वेदितव्यं त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम्। त्वमव्ययः शाश्वतधर्मगोप्ता सनातनस्त्वं पुरुषो मतो मे।।11.18।।

You are the Imperishable, Supreme One to be realized. You are the Supreme Substratum of this universe. You are immutable, the guardian of the eternal law; I know You are the Supreme Person who is everlasting.

Verse 19

अनादिमध्यान्तमनन्तवीर्य मनन्तबाहुं शशिसूर्यनेत्रम्। पश्यामि त्वां दीप्तहुताशवक्त्रम् स्वतेजसा विश्वमिदं तपन्तम्।।11.19।।

I behold You as having no beginning, middle, or end; Your might is infinite. You are endowed with an innumerable number of arms. The sun and moon are Your eyes, and Your mouth emits burning fire. With Your own radiance, You are warning the entire universe.

Verse 20

द्यावापृथिव्योरिदमन्तरं हि व्याप्तं त्वयैकेन दिशश्च सर्वाः। दृष्ट्वाऽद्भुतं रूपमुग्रं तवेदं लोकत्रयं प्रव्यथितं महात्मन्।।11.20।।

You alone have pervaded the interspace between heaven and earth, and all the quarters. Beholding your marvelous and terrible form, O Mahatman, the three worlds are greatly overwhelmed with fear.

Verse 21

अमी हि त्वां सुरसङ्घाः विशन्ति केचिद्भीताः प्राञ्जलयो गृणन्ति। स्वस्तीत्युक्त्वा महर्षिसिद्धसङ्घाः स्तुवन्ति त्वां स्तुतिभिः पुष्कलाभिः।।11.21।।

Verily, the hosts of Devas enter into You. Some, in fear, extol You with clasped hands, crying "Hail!" The bands of great seers and Siddhas praise You with meaningful hymns.

Verse 22

रुद्रादित्या वसवो ये च साध्या विश्वेऽश्िवनौ मरुतश्चोष्मपाश्च। गन्धर्वयक्षासुरसिद्धसङ्घा वीक्षन्ते त्वां विस्मिताश्चैव सर्वे।।11.22।।

The Rudras, the Adityas, the Vasus, the Sadhyas, the Visvas, the Asvins, the Maruts, and the Manes, as well as the hosts of Gandharvas, Yaksas, Asuras, and Siddhas - all gaze upon You in amazement.

Verse 23

रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं महाबाहो बहुबाहूरुपादम्। बहूदरं बहुदंष्ट्राकरालं दृष्ट्वा लोकाः प्रव्यथितास्तथाऽहम्।।11.23।।

Beholding Your great form with many mouths and eyes, many arms, thighs, and feet, many stomachs, and terrible with many teeth, the worlds tremble, and I too quake, O mighty-armed one.

Verse 24

नभःस्पृशं दीप्तमनेकवर्णं व्यात्ताननं दीप्तविशालनेत्रम्। दृष्ट्वा हि त्वां प्रव्यथितान्तरात्मा धृतिं न विन्दामि शमं च विष्णो।।11.24।।

When I behold You touching the Supreme Heaven, shining, multicolored, with yawning mouths and large, resplendent eyes, my inner being trembles in fear. I am unable to find support or peace, O Vishnu.

Verse 25

दंष्ट्राकरालानि च ते मुखानि दृष्ट्वैव कालानलसन्निभानि। दिशो न जाने न लभे च शर्म प्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास।।11.25।।

Viewing Your mouths, presenting awe-generating fangs and looking like the consuming fire of final destruction, I know not the quarters of the globe nor do I find repose. Be gracious, O Lord of the Devas! O Abode of the universe!

Verse 26

अमी च त्वां धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राः सर्वे सहैवावनिपालसङ्घैः। भीष्मो द्रोणः सूतपुत्रस्तथाऽसौ सहास्मदीयैरपि योधमुख्यैः।।11.26।।

All these sons of Dhrtarastra, together with the hosts of monarchs, Bhisma, Drona, and Karna, along with the leading warriors of our side,

Verse 27

वक्त्राणि ते त्वरमाणा विशन्ति दंष्ट्राकरालानि भयानकानि। केचिद्विलग्ना दशनान्तरेषु संदृश्यन्ते चूर्णितैरुत्तमाङ्गैः।।11.27।।

Hasten to enter Your fearful mouths with terrible fangs, crushing some of those caught between the teeth to powder.

Verse 28

यथा नदीनां बहवोऽम्बुवेगाः समुद्रमेवाभिमुखाः द्रवन्ति। तथा तवामी नरलोकवीरा विशन्ति वक्त्राण्यभिविज्वलन्ति।।11.28।।

As many torrents of rivers flow towards the ocean, so do these heroes of the world of men enter into Your flaming mouths.

Verse 29

यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गा विशन्ति नाशाय समृद्धवेगाः। तथैव नाशाय विशन्ति लोका स्तवापि वक्त्राणि समृद्धवेगाः।।11.29।।

As moths rush swiftly into a blazing fire, leading to their destruction, so do these men swiftly rush into Your mouths, leading to their destruction.

Verse 30

लेलिह्यसे ग्रसमानः समन्ता ल्लोकान्समग्रान्वदनैर्ज्वलद्भिः। तेजोभिरापूर्य जगत्समग्रं भासस्तवोग्राः प्रतपन्ति विष्णो।।11.30।।

Devouring all the worlds on every side with your flaming mouths, you lick them up. Your fiery rays, filling the whole universe with their radiance, scorch it, O Vishnu.

Verse 31

आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपो नमोऽस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद। विज्ञातुमिच्छामि भवन्तमाद्यं न हि प्रजानामि तव प्रवृत्तिम्।।11.31।।

Tell me, who are You with this terrible form? Salutations to You, O Supreme God. Be gracious to me. I desire to know You, the Primal One. I do not know Your activities.

Verse 32

श्री भगवानुवाच कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः। ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे येऽवस्थिताः प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः।।11.32।।

The Lord said, "I am the world-destroying Time. Manifesting myself fully, I have begun to destroy the worlds here. Even without you, none of the warriors arrayed in the hostile ranks will survive."

Verse 33

तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व जित्वा शत्रून् भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम्। मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन्।।11.33।।

Therefore, arise, win glory. Conquering your foes, enjoy a prosperous kingdom. By Me they have already been slain. You be merely an instrument, O Arjuna, you great archer!

Verse 34

द्रोणं च भीष्मं च जयद्रथं च कर्णं तथाऽन्यानपि योधवीरान्। मया हतांस्त्वं जहि मा व्यथिष्ठा युध्यस्व जेतासि रणे सपत्नान्।।11.34।।

Slay Drona, Bhisma, Jayadratha, Karna, as well as other mighty warriors who have been doomed by Me. Do not feel distressed. Fight; you shall conquer your rivals in the battle.

Verse 35

सञ्जय उवाच एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं केशवस्य कृताञ्जलिर्वेपमानः किरीटी। नमस्कृत्वा भूय एवाह कृष्णं सगद्गदं भीतभीतः प्रणम्य।।11.35।।

Sanjaya said, Having heard this speech of Krsna, Arjuna did Him obeisance; and trembling with awe, he bowed down again, and with folded palms, his voice choked with emotion, he spoke to Krsna.

Verse 36

अर्जुन उवाच स्थाने हृषीकेश तव प्रकीर्त्या जगत् प्रहृष्यत्यनुरज्यते च। रक्षांसि भीतानि दिशो द्रवन्ति सर्वे नमस्यन्ति च सिद्धसङ्घाः।।11.36।।

Arjuna said, Rightly it is, O Krsna, that Your praise should move the world to joy and love. The rakshasas flee in fear on all sides, and all the hosts of siddhas bow down to You.

Verse 37

कस्माच्च ते न नमेरन्महात्मन् गरीयसे ब्रह्मणोऽप्यादिकर्त्रे। अनन्त देवेश जगन्निवास त्वमक्षरं सदसत्तत्परं यत्।।11.37।।

(a) And why should they not, O Mahatma, bow down to You who are great, being the first Creator, even of Brahma? (b) O Infinite, Lord of gods, O You who have the universe as Your abode! You are the imperishable individual self, the existent and the non-existent, and that which is beyond both.

Verse 38

त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराण स्त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम्। वेत्तासि वेद्यं च परं च धाम त्वया ततं विश्वमनन्तरूप।।11.38।।

(a) You are the Primal God and the Ancient One. You are the Supreme resting place of the universe... (b)...You are the Knower and the object of knowledge, and the Supreme Abode. Through You, O infinite of form, is this universe pervaded.

Verse 39

वायुर्यमोऽग्निर्वरुणः शशाङ्कः प्रजापतिस्त्वं प्रपितामहश्च। नमो नमस्तेऽस्तु सहस्रकृत्वः पुनश्च भूयोऽपि नमो नमस्ते।।11.39।।

(a) You are Yayu, Yama, Agni, Varuna, Sashanka, Prajapati, and the great-grandsire. (b) Hail to You a thousand times! Hail to You again and yet again!

Verse 40

नमः पुरस्तादथ पृष्ठतस्ते नमोऽस्तु ते सर्वत एव सर्व। अनन्तवीर्यामितविक्रमस्त्वं सर्वं समाप्नोषि ततोऽसि सर्वः।।11.40।।

(a) Salutations to You from before and behind! Salutations to You from all sides, O All!৷৷. (b) ৷৷. O You of infinite prowess and heroic action, which are measureless! You pervade all beings, and therefore, You are all.

Verse 41

सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यदुक्तं हे कृष्ण हे यादव हे सखेति। अजानता महिमानं तवेदं मया प्रमादात्प्रणयेन वापि।।11.41।।

Unaware of Your majesty, and either out of negligence or love, or considering You to be a friend, whatever I have said rudely, such as 'O Krsna, O Yadava, O Comrade,'

Verse 42

यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसि विहारशय्यासनभोजनेषु। एकोऽथवाप्यच्युत तत्समक्षं तत्क्षामये त्वामहमप्रमेयम्।।11.42।।

And whatever disrespect has been shown to You in jest, while playing, resting, sitting, or eating, whether alone or in the presence of others, O Acyuta - I implore You for forgiveness, You who are incomprehensible.

Verse 43

पितासि लोकस्य चराचरस्य त्वमस्य पूज्यश्च गुरुर्गरीयान्। न त्वत्समोऽस्त्यभ्यधिकः कुतोऽन्यो लोकत्रयेऽप्यप्रतिमप्रभाव।।11.43।।

You are the father of this world, of all that moves and does not move. You are its teacher and the one most worthy of reverence. There is none equal to You. How then could there be in the three worlds another greater than You, O Being of matchless greatness?

Verse 44

तस्मात्प्रणम्य प्रणिधाय कायं प्रसादये त्वामहमीशमीड्यम्। पितेव पुत्रस्य सखेव सख्युः प्रियः प्रियायार्हसि देव सोढुम्।।11.44।।

Therefore, bowing down and prostrating my body, I implore Your mercy, O adorable Lord. As a father listens to his son or a friend to his friend, it is fitting, O Lord, that You, who are dear to me, should bear with me who am dear to You.

Verse 45

अदृष्टपूर्वं हृषितोऽस्मि दृष्ट्वा भयेन च प्रव्यथितं मनो मे। तदेव मे दर्शय देव रूपं प्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास।।11.45।।

Seeing something never seen before, I am delighted. But my mind is also filled with awe. Show me, O Lord! Your other form. O Lord of the gods! Be gracious, O Abode of the universe!

Verse 46

किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रहस्त मिच्छामि त्वां द्रष्टुमहं तथैव। तेनैव रूपेण चतुर्भुजेन सहस्रबाहो भव विश्वमूर्ते।।11.46।।

I wish to see You ever as before, with crown and mace and discus in hand. Assume again that four-armed shape, O Thou the thousand-armed, of Universal Form!

Verse 47

श्री भगवानुवाच मया प्रसन्नेन तवार्जुनेदं रूपं परं दर्शितमात्मयोगात्। तेजोमयं विश्वमनन्तमाद्यं यन्मे त्वदन्येन न दृष्टपूर्वम्।।11.47।।

The Lord said, "By My grace, O Arjuna, this Supreme Form, luminous, universal, infinite, and primal - never seen before by anyone but you - has been revealed to you through My own free will."

Verse 48

न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानै र्न च क्रियाभिर्न तपोभिरुग्रैः। एवंरूपः शक्य अहं नृलोके द्रष्टुं त्वदन्येन कुरुप्रवीर।।11.48।।

Neither through the study of the Vedas, nor by sacrifices, nor by recitations of the scriptures, nor by gifts, nor by rituals, nor by strict austerities can I be realized in a form like this in the world of men by anyone else but you. O Arjuna!

Verse 49

मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो दृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्ममेदम्। व्यपेतभीः प्रीतमनाः पुनस्त्वं तदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य।।11.49।।

You need not fear any longer, nor be perplexed, looking upon this awe-inspiring form of Mine. Free from fear and with a gladdened heart, behold once again that other form of Mine.

Verse 50

सञ्जय उवाच इत्यर्जुनं वासुदेवस्तथोक्त्वा स्वकं रूपं दर्शयामास भूयः। आश्वासयामास च भीतमेनं भूत्वा पुनः सौम्यवपुर्महात्मा।।11.50।।

Sanjaya said, Having thus spoken to Arjuna, Sri Krsna once more revealed His own form. The Mahatman, assuming a benign form again, reassured him who had been struck with awe.

Verse 51

अर्जुन उवाच दृष्ट्वेदं मानुषं रूपं तवसौम्यं जनार्दन। इदानीमस्मि संवृत्तः सचेताः प्रकृतिं गतः।।11.51।।

Arjuna said, "Having beheld Your human and pleasing form, O Krsna, I am now composed in mind and have been restored to my normal nature."

Verse 52

श्री भगवानुवाच सुदुर्दर्शमिदं रूपं दृष्टवानसि यन्मम। देवा अप्यस्य रूपस्य नित्यं दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः।।11.52।।

The Lord said, "It is very hard to behold this form of Mine which you have seen. Even the gods everlong to behold this form."

Verse 53

नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया। शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा।।11.53।।

Sri Krishna says, "I cannot be seen in such a form as You have seen Me, not by the Vedas, nor by austerities, nor by gifts, nor by sacrifice."

Verse 54

भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्यमहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन। ज्ञातुं दृष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परंतप।।11.54।।

But by single-minded devotion, O Arjuna, it is possible to truly know, to see, and to enter into Me, who am of this form, O harasser of foes.

Verse 55

मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः सङ्गवर्जितः। निर्वैरः सर्वभूतेषु यः स मामेति पाण्डव।।11.55।।

Whoever works for Me, regards Me as the highest and is devoted to Me, free from attachment and without animosity towards any creature, they come to Me, O Arjuna.

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