Gita 11.1 & 11.2
अर्जुन उवाच |
मदनुग्रहाय परमं गुह्यमध्यात्मसञ्ज्ञितम् |
यत्त्वयोक्तं वचस्तेन मोहोऽयं विगतो मम || 1||
arjuna uvācha
mad-anugrahāya paramaṁ guhyam adhyātma-sanjñitam
yat tvayoktaṁ vachas tena moho ’yaṁ vigato mama
भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया |
त्वत्त: कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम् || 2||
bhavāpyayau hi bhūtānāṁ śhrutau vistaraśho mayā
tvattaḥ kamala-patrākṣha māhātmyam api chāvyayam
In these verses, Arjun expresses his profound gratitude to Shree Krishna for revealing invaluable knowledge about his divine nature and glories. Having realised that Krishna is not just his best friend but the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Arjun acknowledges Krishna’s compassion in dispelling his illusions. He emphasises Krishna's position as the source of all creation, acknowledging that while Krishna is present in all beings, He remains untouched by their imperfections. Arjun recognises Krishna as the supreme controller, yet highlights that He is a non-doer, indicating that He is not responsible for individual actions. With this understanding, Arjun concludes that Krishna is the ultimate object of reverence for all beings. He addresses Krishna with affectionate terms, reinforcing his newfound appreciation and devotion.
Gita 11.3
एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर |
द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम || 3||
evam etad yathāttha tvam ātmānaṁ parameśhvara
draṣhṭum ichchhāmi te rūpam aiśhwaraṁ puruṣhottama
In this verse, Arjun acknowledges Shree Krishna as the Supreme Divine Personality, emphasising that no other being is equal to Him. He notes that some scholars struggle with the idea of God as a person, often preferring to view the divine as an impersonal light devoid of attributes. Arjun counters this perspective by asserting that since humans possess personalities, it is equally valid for the Supreme Lord to have a divine personality, which is not only perfect but also transcends ordinary human traits. He highlights that while Krishna has a personal form, He also encompasses an impersonal, all-pervading aspect.
Arjun expresses his acceptance of Krishna's divine nature as described to him, showing unwavering faith in Krishna's personal form. However, he also expresses a deep desire to witness Krishna’s universal form (viśhwarūp), which embodies all opulences, longing to experience this manifestation with his own eyes. This reflects Arjun's reverence and quest for a deeper understanding of Krishna's divinity.
Gita 11.4
मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो |
योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयात्मानमव्ययम् || 4||
manyase yadi tach chhakyaṁ mayā draṣhṭum iti prabho
yogeśhvara tato me tvaṁ darśhayātmānam avyayam
In this verse, Arjun expresses his desire to see the cosmic form of Shree Krishna, now seeking God’s approval to fulfil this wish. He addresses Krishna as "Yogeshwar," meaning "Lord of all yogis," highlighting his recognition of Krishna's supreme authority in the practice of yoga, which unites individual souls with the Supreme Soul. Arjun requests that if Krishna deems him worthy, He should graciously reveal His cosmic form and display His mystic opulence (Yog-aiśhwarya).
Arjun’s shift in terminology from "Yogi" to "Yogeshwar" signifies his heightened respect and acknowledgement of Krishna as not only the master of yoga but as the ultimate divine personality. This request illustrates Arjun's deepening understanding of Krishna's greatness and his sincere quest for a more profound connection with the divine through direct experience of Krishna’s universal form.
Gita 11.5
श्रीभगवानुवाच |
पश्य मे पार्थ रूपाणि शतशोऽथ सहस्रश: |
नानाविधानि दिव्यानि नानावर्णाकृतीनि च || 5||
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha
paśhya me pārtha rūpāṇi śhataśho ’tha sahasraśhaḥ
nānā-vidhāni divyāni nānā-varṇākṛitīni cha
In this verse, Shree Krishna responds to Arjun's prayers by inviting him to witness His viśhwarūp, or universal form. He instructs Arjun to "paśhya," meaning "behold," underscoring the importance of paying careful attention to this divine revelation. Krishna explains that this universal form, while singular, encompasses an infinite range of features, displaying countless personalities, shapes, and vibrant colours.
To emphasise the vastness of His cosmic form, Krishna uses the phrase "śhataśho ’tha sahasraśhaḥ," indicating the existence of innumerable manifestations in diverse ways. After urging Arjun to observe this impressive array of shapes and colours, Krishna encourages him to take note of the celestial gods and other remarkable wonders present within the cosmic form, further illustrating the grandeur and complexity of His divine nature.
Gita 11.6
पश्यादित्यान्वसून् रुद्रानश्विनौ मरुतस्तथा |
बहून्यदृष्टपूर्वाणि पश्याश्चर्याणि भारत || 6||
paśhyādityān vasūn rudrān aśhvinau marutas tathā
bahūny adṛiṣhṭa-pūrvāṇi paśhyāśhcharyāṇi bhārata
In this verse, Shree Krishna reveals that His universal form encompasses not only the wonders of the earthly realm but also those from higher planetary systems, showcasing marvels never before seen together. He explains that the celestial gods are but tiny fragments of His divine essence and presents a list of various divine entities within His form.
Krishna mentions the twelve Adityas, who are solar deities, including names like Dhata and Varun. He lists the eight Vasus, such as Dhruv and Soma. He further identifies the eleven Rudras, including Hara and Shambhu, and the two Ashwini Kumars, who serve as the twin physicians of the gods. Lastly, he enumerates the forty-nine Maruts, the wind gods, highlighting their diverse attributes and roles.
This revelation emphasises the vastness and complexity of Krishna's universal form, reiterating that all these divine personalities and elements are manifestations of His one Supreme spiritual identity. Through this display, Krishna invites Arjun to grasp the interconnectedness of all existence within the divine.
Gita 11.7
इहैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम् |
मम देहे गुडाकेश यच्चान्यद्द्रष्टुमिच्छसि || 7||
ihaika-sthaṁ jagat kṛitsnaṁ paśhyādya sa-charācharam
mama dehe guḍākeśha yach chānyad draṣhṭum ichchhasi
After receiving Shree Krishna's instruction to behold His universal form, Arjun expresses curiosity about where to find it. In response, Krishna clarifies that this grand form exists within His Supreme Divine Personality. He explains that within this form, Arjun will witness infinite universes, populated by all moving and non-moving entities. Every being and event, including those from the past and future, is encompassed within this universal representation.
Krishna reveals that Arjun will have the opportunity to observe significant events, such as the impending victory of the Pandavas and the defeat of the Kauravas, as integral parts of the larger cosmic plan governing the universe. This revelation aims to help Arjun understand the divine purpose behind these events and their place in the grand scheme of existence.
Gita 11.8
न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा |
दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षु: पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् || 8||
na tu māṁ śhakyase draṣhṭum anenaiva sva-chakṣhuṣhā
divyaṁ dadāmi te chakṣhuḥ paśhya me yogam aiśhwaram
This verse explains that when the Supreme Lord, Shree Krishna, descends to the earthly realm, He manifests in two forms: a material form, which can be perceived by ordinary human eyes, and a divine form, visible only through divine vision. Most people only recognise His material form during His incarnations (Avatārs) on Earth, failing to see His true divine nature. As highlighted in a verse from the ninth chapter, those deluded by their material perceptions do not grasp the divinity of Krishna as the Supreme Lord.
This limitation also applies to Krishna's cosmic form, which Arjun struggles to see due to his material vision. Krishna reveals that physical eyes and ordinary intellect are insufficient to perceive the vastness of the universal form. Therefore, He declares that He will grant Arjun divine vision, enabling him to behold this grand aspect of divinity.
The act of bestowing spiritual vision is considered an act of grace by Krishna, enhancing the soul's material senses, mind, and intellect with divine attributes. With these divine faculties, the soul can truly see, think about, and understand Krishna's divine form, thus deepening their connection with the Supreme.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Bhagavad Gita [English]- 19.4.2025
