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KarmaVaani

Chapter 11

विश्वरूपदर्शनयोग

Viśhwarūp Darśhan Yog — Yoga through Beholding the Cosmic Form of God

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.

  1. 11.1

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

    arjuna uvācha mad-anugrahāya paramaṁ guhyam adhyātma-sanjñitam yat tvayoktaṁ vachas tena moho ’yaṁ vigato mama

    Arjuna said, By this explanation of the highest secret concerning the Self which Thou hast spoken, for the sake of blessing me, my delusion has been dispelled.

    Word-by-word meanings

    arjunaḥ uvācha—Arjun said; mat-anugrahāya—out of compassion to me; paramam—supreme; guhyam—confidential; adhyātma-sanjñitam—about spiritual knowledge; yat—which; tvayā—by you; uktam—spoken; vachaḥ—words; tena—by that; mohaḥ—illusion; ayam—this; vigataḥ—is dispelled; mama—my

  2. 11.2

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

    bhavāpyayau hi bhūtānāṁ śhrutau vistaraśho mayā tvattaḥ kamala-patrākṣha māhātmyam api chāvyayam

    The origin and destruction of beings have been heard in detail from You, O lotus-eyed Lord, and also Your inexhaustible greatness.

    Word-by-word meanings

    bhava—appearance; apyayau—disappearance; hi—indeed; bhūtānām—of all living beings; śhrutau—have heard; vistaraśhaḥ—in detail; mayā—by me; tvattaḥ—from you; kamala-patra-akṣha—lotus-eyed one; māhātmyam—greatness; api—also; cha—and; avyayam—eternal

  3. 11.3

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

    evam etad yathāttha tvam ātmānaṁ parameśhvara draṣhṭum ichchhāmi te rūpam aiśhwaraṁ puruṣhottama

    Now, O Supreme Lord, as Thou hast thus described Thyself, O Supreme Person, I wish to behold Thy divine form.

    Word-by-word meanings

    evam—thus; etat—this; yathā—as; āttha—have spoken; tvam—you; ātmānam—yourself; parama-īśhvara—Supreme Lord; draṣhṭum—to see; ichchhāmi—I desire; te—your; rūpam—form; aiśhwaram—divine; puruṣha-uttama—Shree Krishna, the Supreme Divine Personality

  4. 11.4

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

    manyase yadi tach chhakyaṁ mayā draṣhṭum iti prabho yogeśhvara tato me tvaṁ darśhayātmānam avyayam

    If Thou, O Lord, thinkest it possible for me to see it, do Thou, then, O Lord of the Yogis, show me Thy imperishable Self.

    Word-by-word meanings

    manyase—you think; yadi—if; tat—that; śhakyam—possible; mayā—by me; draṣhṭum—to behold; iti—thus; prabho—Lord; yoga-īśhvara—Lord of all mystic powers; tataḥ—then; me—to me; tvam—you; darśhaya—reveal; ātmānam—yourself; avyayam—imperishable

  5. 11.5

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

    śhrī-bhagavān uvācha paśhya me pārtha rūpāṇi śhataśho ’tha sahasraśhaḥ nānā-vidhāni divyāni nānā-varṇākṛitīni cha

    The Blessed Lord said, "Behold, O Arjuna, forms of Mine, by the hundreds and thousands, of different sorts, divine, and of various colors and shapes."

    Word-by-word meanings

    śhrī-bhagavān uvācha—the Supreme Lord said; paśhya—behold; me—my; pārtha—Arjun, the son of Pritha; rūpāṇi—forms; śhataśhaḥ—by the hundreds; atha—and; sahasraśhaḥ—thousands; nānā-vidhāni—various; divyāni—divine; nānā—various; varṇa—colors; ākṛitīni—shapes; cha—and

  6. 11.6

    पश्यादित्यान्वसून्रुद्रानश्िवनौ मरुतस्तथा। बहून्यदृष्टपूर्वाणि पश्याऽश्चर्याणि भारत।।11.6।।

    paśhyādityān vasūn rudrān aśhvinau marutas tathā bahūny adṛiṣhṭa-pūrvāṇi paśhyāśhcharyāṇi bhārata

    Behold the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the two Asvins, and the Maruts; behold many wonders never before seen, O Arjuna.

    Word-by-word meanings

    paśhya—behold; ādityān—the (twelve) sons of Aditi; vasūn—the (eight) Vasus; rudrān—the (eleven) Rudras; aśhvinau—the (twin) Ashvini Kumars; marutaḥ—the (forty-nine) Maruts; tathā—and; bahūni—many; adṛiṣhṭa—never revealed; pūrvāṇi—before; paśhya—behold; āśhcharyāṇi—marvels; bhārata—Arjun, scion of the Bharatas

  7. 11.7

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

    ihaika-sthaṁ jagat kṛitsnaṁ paśhyādya sa-charācharam mama dehe guḍākeśha yach chānyad draṣhṭum ichchhasi

    Now, behold, O Arjuna, in this My body, the entire universe centered in one, including the moving and the unmoving, and whatever else you desire to see.

    Word-by-word meanings

    iha—here; eka-stham—assembled together; jagat—the universe; kṛitsnam—entire; paśhya—behold; adya—now; sa—with; chara—the moving; acharam—the non- moving; mama—my; dehe—in this form; guḍākeśha—Arjun, the conqueror of sleep; yat—whatever; cha—also; anyat—else; draṣhṭum—to see; ichchhasi—you wish

  8. 11.8

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

    na tu māṁ śhakyase draṣhṭum anenaiva sva-chakṣhuṣhā divyaṁ dadāmi te chakṣhuḥ paśhya me yogam aiśhwaram

    But you are not able to behold Me with these your own eyes; I give you the divine eye; behold My lordly Yoga.

    Word-by-word meanings

    na—not; tu—but; mām—me; śhakyase—you can; draṣhṭum—to see; anena—with these; eva—even; sva-chakṣhuṣhā—with your physical eyes; divyam—divine; dadāmi—I give; te—to you; chakṣhuḥ—eyes; paśhya—behold; me—my; yogam aiśhwaram—majestic opulence

  9. 11.9

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

    sañjaya uvācha evam uktvā tato rājan mahā-yogeśhvaro hariḥ darśhayām āsa pārthāya paramaṁ rūpam aiśhwaram

    Sanjaya said, Having thus spoken, O king, the great Lord of Yoga, Hari (Krishna), showed Arjuna His supreme form as the Lord.

    Word-by-word meanings

    sañjayaḥ uvācha—Sanjay said; evam—thus; uktvā—having spoken; tataḥ—then; rājan—King; mahā-yoga-īśhvaraḥ—the Supreme Lord of Yog; hariḥ—Shree Krishna; darśhayām āsa—displayed; pārthāya—to Arjun; paramam—divine; rūpam aiśhwaram—opulence

  10. 11.10

    अनेकवक्त्रनयनमनेकाद्भुतदर्शनम्। अनेकदिव्याभरणं दिव्यानेकोद्यतायुधम्।।11.10।।

    aneka-vaktra-nayanam anekādbhuta-darśhanam aneka-divyābharaṇaṁ divyānekodyatāyudham

    With numerous mouths and eyes, with numerous wondrous sights, with numerous divine adornments, with numerous divine weapons uplifted, such a form He showed.

    Word-by-word meanings

    aneka—many; vaktra—faces; nayanam—eyes; aneka—many; adbhuta—wonderful; darśhanam—had a vision of; aneka—many; divya—divine; ābharaṇam—ornaments; divya—divine; aneka—many; udyata—uplifted; āyudham—weapons;

  11. 11.11

    दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरं दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनम्। सर्वाश्चर्यमयं देवमनन्तं विश्वतोमुखम्।।11.11।।

    divya-mālyāmbara-dharaṁ divya-gandhānulepanam sarvāśhcharya-mayaṁ devam anantaṁ viśhvato-mukham

    Wearing divine garlands and apparel, anointed with divine unguents, the all-wonderful, resplendent Being is endless with faces on all sides.

    Word-by-word meanings

    divya—divine; mālya—garlands; āmbara—garments; dharam—wearing; divya—divine; gandha—fragrances; anulepanam—anointed with; sarva—all; āśhcharya-mayam—wonderful; devam—Lord; anantam—unlimited; viśhwataḥ—all sides; mukham—face

  12. 11.12

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

    divi sūrya-sahasrasya bhaved yugapad utthitā yadi bhāḥ sadṛiśhī sā syād bhāsas tasya mahātmanaḥ

    If the splendour of a thousand suns were to blaze out simultaneously in the sky, that would be the splendour of that mighty being.

    Word-by-word meanings

    divi—in the sky; sūrya—suns; sahasrasya—thousand; bhavet—were; yugapat—simultaneously; utthitā—rising; yadi—if; bhāḥ—splendor; sadṛiśhī—like; sā—that; syāt—would be; bhāsaḥ—splendor; tasya—of them; mahā-ātmanaḥ—the great personality

  13. 11.13

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

    tatraika-sthaṁ jagat kṛitsnaṁ pravibhaktam anekadhā apaśhyad deva-devasya śharīre pāṇḍavas tadā

    There, in the body of the God of gods, Arjuna then saw the entire universe resting in one, with its myriad of divisions.

    Word-by-word meanings

    tatra—there; eka-stham—established in one place; jagat—the universe; kṛitsnam—entire; pravibhaktam—divided; anekadhā—many; apaśhyat—could see; deva-devasya—of the God of gods; śharīre—in the body; pāṇḍavaḥ—Arjun; tadā—at that time

  14. 11.14

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

    tataḥ sa vismayāviṣhṭo hṛiṣhṭa-romā dhanañjayaḥ praṇamya śhirasā devaṁ kṛitāñjalir abhāṣhata

    Then, Arjuna, filled with wonder and his hair standing on end, bowed his head to the God and spoke with palms joined.

    Word-by-word meanings

    tataḥ—then; saḥ—he; vismaya-āviṣhṭaḥ—full of wonder; hṛiṣhṭa-romā—with hair standing on end; dhanañjayaḥ—Arjun, the conqueror of wealth; praṇamya—bow down; śhirasā—with (his) head; devam—the Lord; kṛita-añjaliḥ—with folded hands; abhāṣhata—he addressed

  15. 11.15

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

    arjuna uvācha paśhyāmi devāns tava deva dehe sarvāns tathā bhūta-viśheṣha-saṅghān brahmāṇam īśhaṁ kamalāsana-stham ṛiṣhīnśh cha sarvān uragānśh cha divyān

    Arjuna said, "O God, I see all the gods in Your body, as well as hosts of various classes of beings, Brahma the Lord seated on the lotus, all the sages, and the celestial serpents."

    Word-by-word meanings

    arjunaḥ uvācha—Arjun said; paśhyāmi—I behold; devān—all the gods; tava—your; deva—Lord; dehe—within the body; sarvān—all; tathā—as well as; bhūta viśheṣha-saṅghān—hosts of different beings; brahmāṇam—Lord Brahma; īśham—Shiv; kamala-āsana-stham—seated on the lotus flower; ṛiṣhīn—sages; cha—and; sarvān—all; uragān—serpents; cha—and; divyān—divine

  16. 11.16

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

    aneka-bāhūdara-vaktra-netraṁ paśhyāmi tvāṁ sarvato ’nanta-rūpam nāntaṁ na madhyaṁ na punas tavādiṁ paśhyāmi viśhveśhvara viśhva-rūpa

    I see You with boundless form on every side, with many arms, stomachs, mouths, and eyes; neither the end nor the middle nor the beginning do I see, O Lord of the Universe, O Cosmic Form.

    Word-by-word meanings

    aneka—infinite; bāhu—arms; udara—stomachs; vaktra—faces; netram—eyes; paśhyāmi—I see; tvām—you; sarvataḥ—in every direction; ananta-rūpam—inifinite forms; na antam—without end; na—not; madhyam—middle; na—no; punaḥ—again; tava—your; ādim—beginning; paśhyāmi—I see; viśhwa-īśhwara—The Lord of the universe; viśhwa-rūpa—universal form

  17. 11.17

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

    kirīṭinaṁ gadinaṁ chakriṇaṁ cha tejo-rāśhiṁ sarvato dīptimantam paśhyāmi tvāṁ durnirīkṣhyaṁ samantād dīptānalārka-dyutim aprameyam

    I see You with the diadem, club, and discus, a mass of radiance shining everywhere, very hard to look at, blazing all around like a burning fire and the sun, and immeasurable.

    Word-by-word meanings

    kirīṭinam—adorned with a crown; gadinam—with club; chakriṇam—with discs; cha—and; tejaḥ-rāśhim—abode of splendor; sarvataḥ—everywhere; dīpti-mantam—shining; paśhyāmi—I see; tvām—you; durnirīkṣhyam—difficult to look upon; samantāt—in all directions; dīpta-anala—blazing fire; arka—like the sun; dyutim—effulgence; aprameyam—immeasurable

  18. 11.18

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

    tvam akṣharaṁ paramaṁ veditavyaṁ tvam asya viśhvasya paraṁ nidhānam tvam avyayaḥ śhāśhvata-dharma-goptā sanātanas tvaṁ puruṣho mato me

    You are the Imperishable, the Supreme Being, worthy of being known. You are the great treasure-house of this universe; You are the imperishable protector of the eternal Dharma; You are the Primal Person, I believe.

    Word-by-word meanings

    tvam—you; akṣharam—the imperishable; paramam—the supreme being; veditavyam—worthy of being known; tvam—you; asya—of this; viśhwasya—of the creation; param—supreme; nidhānam—support; tvam—you; avyayaḥ—eternal; śhāśhvata-dharma-goptā—protector of the eternal religion; sanātanaḥ—everlasting; tvam—you; puruṣhaḥ—the Supreme Divine Person; mataḥ me—my opinion

  19. 11.19

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

    स्वतेजसा विश्वमिदं तपन्तम् || 19||

    I see You without beginning, middle, or end, infinite in power, with endless arms, the sun and moon as Your eyes, the burning fire Your mouth, heating the entire universe with Your radiance.

    Word-by-word meanings

    anādi-madhyāntam ananta-vīryam ananta-bāhuṁ śhaśhi-sūrya-netram paśhyāmi tvāṁ dīpta-hutāśha-vaktraṁ sva-tejasā viśhvam idaṁ tapantam

  20. 11.20

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

    dyāv ā-pṛithivyor idam antaraṁ hi vyāptaṁ tvayaikena diśhaśh cha sarvāḥ dṛiṣhṭvādbhutaṁ rūpam ugraṁ tavedaṁ loka-trayaṁ pravyathitaṁ mahātman

    This space between the earth and the heavens, and all the quarters, is filled by You alone; having seen this, Your wonderful and terrible form, the three worlds are trembling with fear, O great-souled Being.

    Word-by-word meanings

    dyau-ā-pṛithivyoḥ—between heaven and earth; idam—this; antaram—space between; hi—indeed; vyāptam—pervaded; tvayā—by you; ekena—alone; diśhaḥ—directions; cha—and; sarvāḥ—all; dṛiṣhṭvā—seeing; adbhutam—wondrous; rūpam—form; ugram—terrible; tava—your; idam—this; loka—worlds; trayam—three; pravyathitam—trembling; mahā-ātman—The greatest of all beings

  21. 11.21

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

    amī hi tvāṁ sura-saṅghā viśhanti kechid bhītāḥ prāñjalayo gṛiṇanti svastīty uktvā maharṣhi-siddha-saṅghāḥ stuvanti tvāṁ stutibhiḥ puṣhkalābhiḥ

    Verily, these hosts of gods enter into Thee; some extol Thee with joined palms in fear, saying, 'May it be well!' Bands of great sages and perfected ones praise Thee with complete hymns.

    Word-by-word meanings

    amī—these; hi—indeed; tvām—you; sura-saṅghāḥ—assembly of celestial gods; viśhanti—are entering; kechit—some; bhītāḥ—in fear; prāñjalayaḥ—with folded hands; gṛiṇanti—praise; svasti—auspicious; iti—thus; uktvā—reciting; mahā-ṛiṣhi—great sages; siddha-saṅghāḥ—perfect beings; stuvanti—are extolling; tvām—you; stutibhiḥ—with prayers; puṣhkalābhiḥ—hymns

  22. 11.22

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

    rudrādityā vasavo ye cha sādhyā viśhve ’śhvinau marutaśh choṣhmapāśh cha gandharva-yakṣhāsura-siddha-saṅghā vīkṣhante tvāṁ vismitāśh chaiva sarve

    The Rudras, Adityas, Vasus, Sadhyas, Visvedevas, the two Asvins, Maruts, the Manus, and the hosts of celestial singers, Yakshas, demons, and the perfected ones, all look upon Thee with great amazement.

    Word-by-word meanings

    rudra—a form of Lord Shiv; ādityāḥ—the Adityas; vasavaḥ—the Vasus; ye—these; cha—and; sādhyāḥ—the Sadhyas; viśhve—the Vishvadevas; aśhvinau—the Ashvini kumars; marutaḥ—the Maruts; cha—and; uṣhma-pāḥ—the ancestors; cha—and; gandharva—Gandharvas; yakṣha—the Yakshas; asura—the demons; siddha—the perfected beings; saṅghāḥ—the assemblies; vīkṣhante—are beholding; tvām—you; vismitāḥ—in wonder; cha—and; eva—verily; sarve—all

  23. 11.23

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

    rūpaṁ mahat te bahu-vaktra-netraṁ mahā-bāho bahu-bāhūru-pādam bahūdaraṁ bahu-danṣhṭrā-karālaṁ dṛiṣhṭvā lokāḥ pravyathitās tathāham

    Having seen Your immeasurable form with many mouths and eyes, O mighty-armed one, with many arms, thighs, and feet, with many stomachs and fearsome with many teeth, the worlds are terrified, and so am I.

    Word-by-word meanings

    rūpam—form; mahat—magnificent; te—your; bahu—many; vaktra—mouths; netram—eyes; mahā-bāho—mighty-armed Lord; bahu—many; bāhu—arms; ūru—thighs; pādam—legs; bahu-udaram—many stomachs; bahu-danṣhṭrā—many teeth; karālam—terrifying; dṛiṣhṭvā—seeing; lokāḥ—all the worlds; pravyathitāḥ—terror-stricken; tathā—so also; aham—I

  24. 11.24

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

    nabhaḥ-spṛiśhaṁ dīptam aneka-varṇaṁ vyāttānanaṁ dīpta-viśhāla-netram dṛiṣhṭvā hi tvāṁ pravyathitāntar-ātmā dhṛitiṁ na vindāmi śhamaṁ cha viṣhṇo

    On seeing Thee, touching the sky, shining in many colors, with mouths wide open, with large fiery eyes, I am terrified at heart and find neither courage nor peace, O Vishnu.

    Word-by-word meanings

    nabhaḥ-spṛiśham—touching the sky; dīptam—effulgent; aneka—many; varṇam—colors; vyātta—open; ānanam—mouths; dīpta—blazing; viśhāla—enormous; netram—eyes; dṛiṣhṭvā—seeing; hi—indeed; tvām—you; pravyathitāntar-ātmā—my heart is trembling with fear; dhṛitim—firmness; na—not; vindāmi—I find; śhamam—mental peace; cha—and; viṣhṇo—Lord Vishnu

  25. 11.25

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

    danṣhṭrā-karālāni cha te mukhāni dṛiṣhṭvaiva kālānala-sannibhāni diśho na jāne na labhe cha śharma prasīda deveśha jagan-nivāsa

    Having seen Thy mouths fearful with teeth blazing like the fires of cosmic dissolution, I know not the four quarters, nor do I find peace. Have mercy, O Lord of the gods, O abode of the universe.

    Word-by-word meanings

    danṣhṭrā—teeth; karālāni—terrible; cha—and; te—your; mukhāni—mouths; dṛiṣhṭvā—having seen; eva—indeed; kāla-anala—the fire of annihilation; sannibhāni—resembling; diśhaḥ—the directions; na—not; jāne—know; na—not; labhe—I obtain; cha—and; śharma—peace; prasīda—have mercy; deva-īśha—The Lord of lords; jagat-nivāsa—The shelter of the universe

  26. 11.26

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

    amī cha tvāṁ dhṛitarāśhtrasya putrāḥ sarve sahaivāvani-pāla-saṅghaiḥ bhīṣhmo droṇaḥ sūta-putras tathāsau sahāsmadīyair api yodha-mukhyaiḥ vaktrāṇi te tvaramāṇā viśhanti danṣhṭrā-karālāni bhayānakāni kechid vilagnā daśhanāntareṣhu sandṛiśhyante chūrṇitair uttamāṅgaiḥ

    All the sons of Dhritarashtra, along with the hosts of kings of the earth, Bhishma, Drona, and Karna, as well as the chief among our warriors.

    Word-by-word meanings

    amī—these; cha—and; tvām—you; dhṛitarāśhtrasya—of Dhritarashtra; putrāḥ—sons; sarve—all; saha—with; eva—even; avani-pāla—their allied kings; sanghaiḥ—assembly; bhīṣhmaḥ—Bheeshma; droṇaḥ—Dronacharya; sūta-putraḥ—Karna; tathā—and also; asau—this; saha—with; asmadīyaiḥ—from our side; api—also; yodha-mukhyaiḥ—generals; vaktrāṇi—mouths; te—your; tvaramāṇāḥ—rushing; viśhanti—enter; danṣhṭrā—teeth; karālāni—terrible; bhayānakāni—fearsome; kechit—some; vilagnāḥ—getting stuck; daśhana-antareṣhu—between the teeth; sandṛiśhyante—are seen; chūrṇitaiḥ—getting smashed; uttama-aṅgaiḥ—heads

  27. 11.27

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

    vaktrāṇi te tvaramāṇā viśanti daṁṣṭrā-karālāni bhayānakāni kecid vilagnā daśanāntareṣu sandṛśyante cūrṇitair uttamāṅgaiḥ

    Some hurry into Your mouths with their terrible teeth, fearful to behold. Some are found stuck in the gaps between the teeth, their heads crushed to powder.

    Word-by-word meanings

    vaktrāṇi—mouths; te—Your; tvaramāṇāḥ—fearful; viśanti—entering; daṁṣṭrā—teeth; karālāni—terrible; bhayānakāni—very fearful; kecit—some of them; vilagnāḥ—being attacked; daśanāntareṣu—between the teeth; sandṛśyante—being seen; cūrṇitaiḥ—smashed; uttama-aṅgaiḥ—by the head

  28. 11.28

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

    yathā nadīnāṁ bahavo ’mbu-vegāḥ samudram evābhimukhā dravanti tathā tavāmī nara-loka-vīrā viśhanti vaktrāṇy abhivijvalanti

    Verily, just as many torrents of rivers flow towards the ocean, so too these heroes in the world of men enter Thy flaming mouths.

    Word-by-word meanings

    yathā—as; nadīnām—of the rivers; bahavaḥ—many; ambu-vegāḥ—water waves; samudram—the ocean; eva—indeed; abhimukhāḥ—toward; dravanti—flowing rapidly; tathā—similarly; tava—your; amī—these; nara-loka-vīrāḥ—kings of human society; viśhanti—enter; vaktrāṇi—mouths; abhivijvalanti—blazing;

  29. 11.29

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

    yathā pradīptaṁ jvalanaṁ pataṅgā viśhanti nāśhāya samṛiddha-vegāḥ tathaiva nāśhāya viśhanti lokās tavāpi vaktrāṇi samṛiddha-vegāḥ

    As moths hurriedly rush into a blazing fire, leading to their own destruction, so too these creatures hurry into Your mouths, leading to their own destruction.

    Word-by-word meanings

    yathā—as; pradīptam—blazing; jvalanam—fire; pataṅgāḥ—moths; viśhanti—enter; nāśhāya—to be perished; samṛiddha vegāḥ—with great speed; tathā eva—similarly; nāśhāya—to be perished; viśhanti—enter; lokāḥ—these people; tava—your; api—also; vaktrāṇi—mouths; samṛiddha-vegāḥ—with great speed

  30. 11.30

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

    lelihyase grasamānaḥ samantāl lokān samagrān vadanair jvaladbhiḥ tejobhir āpūrya jagat samagraṁ bhāsas tavogrāḥ pratapanti viṣhṇo

    Thou lickest up, devouring all the worlds on every side with Thy flaming mouths. Thy fierce rays, filling the whole world with radiance, burn, O Vishnu!

    Word-by-word meanings

    lelihyase—you are licking; grasamānaḥ—devouring; samantāt—on all sides; lokān—worlds; samagrān—all; vadanaiḥ—with mouths; jvaladbhiḥ—blazing; tejobhiḥ—by effulgence; āpūrya—filled with; jagat—the universe; samagram—all; bhāsaḥ—rays; tava—your; ugrāḥ—fierce; pratapanti—scorching; viṣhṇo—Lord Vishnu

  31. 11.31

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

    ākhyāhi me ko bhavān ugra-rūpo namo ’stu te deva-vara prasīda vijñātum ichchhāmi bhavantam ādyaṁ na hi prajānāmi tava pravṛittim

    Tell me, who you are, so fierce of form. I offer my salutations to you, O God Supreme; have mercy on me. I desire to know you, the original Being. I do not indeed know your workings.

    Word-by-word meanings

    ākhyāhi—tell; me—me; kaḥ—who; bhavān—you; ugra-rūpaḥ—fierce form; namaḥ astu—I bow; te—to you; deva-vara—God of gods; prasīda—be merciful; vijñātum—to know; ichchhāmi—I wish; bhavantam—you; ādyam—the primeval; na—not; hi—because; prajānāmi—comprehend; tava—your; pravṛittim—workings

  32. 11.32

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

    śhrī-bhagavān uvācha kālo ’smi loka-kṣhaya-kṛit pravṛiddho lokān samāhartum iha pravṛittaḥ ṛite ’pi tvāṁ na bhaviṣhyanti sarve ye ’vasthitāḥ pratyanīkeṣhu yodhāḥ

    The Blessed Lord said, "I am the full-grown, world-destroying Time, now engaged in destroying the worlds. Even without you, none of the warriors arrayed in the hostile armies will live."

    Word-by-word meanings

    śhrī-bhagavān uvācha—the Supreme Lord said; kālaḥ—time; asmi—I am; loka-kṣhaya-kṛit—the source of destruction of the worlds; pravṛiddhaḥ—mighty; lokān—the worlds; samāhartum—annihilation; iha—this world; pravṛittaḥ—participation; ṛite—without; api—even; tvām—you; na bhaviṣhyanti—shall cease to exist; sarve—all; ye—who; avasthitāḥ—arrayed; prati-anīkeṣhu—in the opposing army; yodhāḥ—the warriors

  33. 11.33

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

    tasmāt tvam uttiṣhṭha yaśho labhasva jitvā śhatrūn bhuṅkṣhva rājyaṁ samṛiddham mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvam eva nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savya-sāchin

    Therefore, stand up and obtain fame. Conquer the enemies and enjoy the unparalleled kingdom. Verily, by Me they have already been slain; be thou a mere instrument, O Arjuna.

    Word-by-word meanings

    tasmāt—therefore; tvam—you; uttiṣhṭha—arise; yaśhaḥ—honor; labhasva—attain; jitvā—conquer; śhatrūn—foes; bhuṅkṣhva—enjoy; rājyam—kingdom; samṛiddham—prosperous; mayā—by me; eva—indeed; ete—these; nihatāḥ—slain; pūrvam—already; eva nimitta-mātram—only an instrument; bhava—become; savya-sāchin—Arjun, the one who can shoot arrows with both hands

  34. 11.34

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

    droṇaṁ cha bhīṣhmaṁ cha jayadrathaṁ cha karṇaṁ tathānyān api yodha-vīrān mayā hatāṁs tvaṁ jahi mā vyathiṣhṭhā yudhyasva jetāsi raṇe sapatnān

    Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna, and other brave warriors have already been slain by Me; do not be distressed with fear; fight and you shall conquer your enemies in battle.

    Word-by-word meanings

    droṇam—Dronacharya; cha—and; bhīṣhmam—Bheeshma; cha—and; jayadratham—Jayadratha; cha—and; karṇam—Karn; tathā—also; anyān—others; api—also; yodha-vīrān—brave warriors; mayā—by me; hatān—already killed; tvam—you; jahi—slay; mā—not; vyathiṣhṭhāḥ—be disturbed; yudhyasva—fight; jetā asi—you shall be victorious; raṇe—in battle; sapatnān—enemies

  35. 11.35

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

    sañjaya uvācha etach chhrutvā vachanaṁ keśhavasya kṛitāñjalir vepamānaḥ kirīṭī namaskṛitvā bhūya evāha kṛiṣhṇaṁ sa-gadgadaṁ bhīta-bhītaḥ praṇamya

    Sanjaya said, Having heard that speech of Lord Krishna, Arjuna, with joined palms, trembling, prostrated himself, again addressing Krishna in a choked voice, bowing down, overwhelmed with fear.

    Word-by-word meanings

    sañjayaḥ uvācha—Sanjay said; etat—thus; śhrutvā—hearing; vachanam—words; keśhavasya—of Shree Krishna; kṛita-añjaliḥ—with joined palms; vepamānaḥ—trembling; kirītī—the crowned one, Arjun; namaskṛitvā—with palms joined; bhūyaḥ—again; eva—indeed; āha—spoke; kṛiṣhṇam—to Shree Krishna; sa-gadgadam—in a faltering voice; bhīta-bhītaḥ—overwhelmed with fear; praṇamya—bowed down

  36. 11.36

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

    arjuna uvācha sthāne hṛiṣhīkeśha tava prakīrtyā jagat prahṛiṣhyaty anurajyate cha rakṣhānsi bhītāni diśho dravanti sarve namasyanti cha siddha-saṅghāḥ

    Arjuna said, "It is fitting, O Krishna, that the world delights and rejoices in Your praise; demons fly in fear in all directions and the hosts of the perfected ones bow to You."

    Word-by-word meanings

    arjunaḥ uvācha—Arjun said; sthāne—it is but apt; hṛiṣhīka-īśha—Shree Krishna, the master of the senses; tava—your; prakīrtyā—in praise; jagat—the universe; prahṛiṣhyati—rejoices; anurajyate—be enamored; cha—and; rakṣhānsi—the demons; bhītāni—fearfully; diśhaḥ—in all directions; dravanti—flee; sarve—all; namasyanti—bow down; cha—and; siddha-saṅghāḥ—hosts of perfected saints

  37. 11.37

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

    kasmāch cha te na nameran mahātman garīyase brahmaṇo ’py ādi-kartre ananta deveśha jagan-nivāsa tvam akṣharaṁ sad-asat tat paraṁ yat

    And why should they not, O great Soul, bow to Thee Who art greater than all else, the primal cause even of the Creator (Brahma), O Infinite Being, O Lord of the gods, O Abode of the universe; Thou art the imperishable, the Being, the non-being, and That which is supreme—that which is beyond the Being and the non-being.

    Word-by-word meanings

    kasmāt—why; cha—and; te—you; na nameran—should they not bow down; mahā-ātman—The Great one; garīyase—who are greater; brahmaṇaḥ—than Brahma; api—even; ādi-kartre—to the original creator; ananta—The limitless One; deva-īśha—Lord of the devatās; jagat-nivāsa—Refuge of the universe; tvam—you; akṣharam—the imperishable; sat-asat—manifest and non-manifest; tat—that; param—beyond; yat—which

  38. 11.38

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

    tvam ādi-devaḥ puruṣhaḥ purāṇas tvam asya viśhvasya paraṁ nidhānam vettāsi vedyaṁ cha paraṁ cha dhāma tvayā tataṁ viśhvam ananta-rūpa

    You are the primal God, the ancient Purusha, the supreme refuge of this universe, the knower, the knowable, and the supreme Abode. Through You, the universe is pervaded, O Being of infinite forms.

    Word-by-word meanings

    tvam—you; ādi-devaḥ—the original Divine God; puruṣhaḥ—personality; purāṇaḥ—primeval; tvam—you; asya—of (this); viśhwasya—universe; param—Supreme; nidhānam—resting place; vettā—the knower; asi—you are; vedyam—the object of knowledge; cha—and; param—Supreme; cha—and; dhāma—Abode; tvayā—by you; tatam—pervaded; viśhwam—the universe; ananta-rūpa—posessor of infinite forms

  39. 11.39

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

    vāyur yamo ’gnir varuṇaḥ śhaśhāṅkaḥ prajāpatis tvaṁ prapitāmahaśh cha namo namas te ’stu sahasra-kṛitvaḥ punaśh cha bhūyo ’pi namo namas te

    You are Vayu, Yama, Agni, Varuna, the moon, the Creator, and the great-grandfather. I offer my salutations to You a thousand times, and again I offer my salutations to You.

    Word-by-word meanings

    vāyuḥ—the god of wind; yamaḥ—the god of death; agniḥ—the god of fire; varuṇaḥ—the god of water; śhaśha-aṅkaḥ—the moon-God; prajāpatiḥ—Brahma; tvam—you; prapitāmahaḥ—the great-grandfather; cha—and; namaḥ—my salutations; namaḥ—my salutations; te—unto you; astu—let there be; sahasra-kṛitvaḥ—a thousand times; punaḥ cha—and again; bhūyaḥ—again; api—also; namaḥ—(offering) my salutations; namaḥ te—offering my salutations unto you

  40. 11.40

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

    namaḥ purastād atha pṛiṣhṭhatas te namo ’stu te sarvata eva sarva ananta-vīryāmita-vikramas tvaṁ sarvaṁ samāpnoṣhi tato ’si sarvaḥ

    Salutations to You in front and behind! Salutations to You on every side! O All! You, infinite in power and prowess, pervade all; therefore You are all.

    Word-by-word meanings

    namaḥ—offering salutations; purastāt—from the front; atha—and; pṛiṣhṭhataḥ—the rear; te—to you; namaḥ astu—I offer my salutations; te—to you; sarvataḥ—from all sides; eva—indeed; sarva—all; ananta-vīrya—infinite power; amita-vikramaḥ—infinite valor and might; tvam—you; sarvam—everything; samāpnoṣhi—pervade; tataḥ—thus; asi—(you) are; sarvaḥ—everything

  41. 11.41

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

    sakheti matvā prasabhaṁ yad uktaṁ he kṛiṣhṇa he yādava he sakheti ajānatā mahimānaṁ tavedaṁ mayā pramādāt praṇayena vāpi

    Whatever I have presumptuously said from carelessness or love, addressing You as O Krishna! O Yadava! O Friend! regarding You merely as a friend, unknowing of Your greatness.

    Word-by-word meanings

    sakhā—friend; iti—as; matvā—thinking; prasabham—presumptuously; yat—whatever; uktam—addressed; he kṛiṣhṇa—O Shree Krishna; he yādava—O Shree Krishna, who was born in the Yadu clan; he sakhe—O my dear mate; iti—thus; ajānatā—in ignorance; mahimānam—majesty; tava—your; idam—this; mayā—by me; pramādāt—out of negligence; praṇayena—out of affection; vā api—or else;

  42. 11.42

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

    yach chāvahāsārtham asat-kṛito ’si vihāra-śhayyāsana-bhojaneṣhu eko ’tha vāpy achyuta tat-samakṣhaṁ tat kṣhāmaye tvām aham aprameyam

    In whatever way I may have insulted You for the sake of fun, while at play, reposing, sitting, or at meals, when alone (with You), O Krishna, or in company, that I implore You, immeasurable one, to forgive.

    Word-by-word meanings

    yat—whatever; cha—also; avahāsa-artham—humorously; asat-kṛitaḥ—disrespectfully; asi—you were; vihāra—while at play; śhayyā—while resting; āsana—while sitting; bhojaneṣhu—while eating; ekaḥ—(when) alone; athavā—or; api—even; achyuta—Krishna, the infallible one; tat-samakṣham—before others; tat—all that; kṣhāmaye—beg for forgiveness; tvām—from you; aham—I; aprameyam—immeasurable

  43. 11.43

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

    pitāsi lokasya charācharasya tvam asya pūjyaśh cha gurur garīyān na tvat-samo ’sty abhyadhikaḥ kuto ’nyo loka-traye ’py apratima-prabhāva

    Thou art the Father of this world, both moving and unmoving. Thou art to be adored by this world; Thou, the greatest Guru; for none exists who is equal to Thee; how then could there be another superior to Thee in the three worlds, O Being of unrivaled power?

    Word-by-word meanings

    pitā—the father; asi—you are; lokasya—of the entire universe; chara—moving; acharasya—nonmoving; tvam—you; asya—of this; pūjyaḥ—worshipable; cha—and; guruḥ—spiritual master; garīyān—glorious; na—not; tvat-samaḥ—equal to you; asti—is; abhyadhikaḥ—greater; kutaḥ—who is?; anyaḥ—other; loka-traye—in the three worlds; api—even; apratima-prabhāva—possessor of incomparable power

  44. 11.44

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

    tasmāt praṇamya praṇidhāya kāyaṁ prasādaye tvām aham īśham īḍyam piteva putrasya sakheva sakhyuḥ priyaḥ priyāyārhasi deva soḍhum

    Therefore, bowing down and prostrating my body, I crave Thy forgiveness, O adorable Lord. As a father forgives his son, a friend his dear friend, a lover his beloved, even so may Thou forgive me, O God.

    Word-by-word meanings

    tasmāt—therefore; praṇamya—bowing down; praṇidhāya—prostrating; kāyam—the body; prasādaye—to implore grace; tvām—your; aham—I; īśham—the Supreme Lord; īḍyam—adorable; pitā—father; iva—as; putrasya—with a son; sakhā—friend; iva—as; sakhyuḥ—with a friend; priyaḥ—a lover; priyāyāḥ—with the beloved; arhasi—you should; deva—Lord; soḍhum—forgive

  45. 11.45

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

    adṛiṣhṭa-pūrvaṁ hṛiṣhito ’smi dṛiṣhṭvā bhayena cha pravyathitaṁ mano me tad eva me darśhaya deva rūpaṁ prasīda deveśha jagan-nivāsa

    I am delighted, having seen something never seen before; yet my mind is distressed with fear. Show me that form only, O God; have mercy, O God of gods, O Abode of the universe.

    Word-by-word meanings

    adṛiṣhṭa-pūrvam—that which has not been seen before; hṛiṣhitaḥ—great joy; asmi—I am; dṛiṣhṭvā—having seen; bhayena—with fear; cha—yet; pravyathitam—trembles; manaḥ—mind; me—my; tat—that; eva—certainly; me—to me; darśhaya—show; deva—Lord; rūpam—form; prasīda—please have mercy; deva-īśha—God of gods; jagat-nivāsa—abode of the universe

  46. 11.46

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

    kirīṭinaṁ gadinaṁ chakra-hastam ichchhāmi tvāṁ draṣhṭum ahaṁ tathaiva tenaiva rūpeṇa chatur-bhujena sahasra-bāho bhava viśhva-mūrte

    I desire to see You as before, crowned, bearing a mace, with the discus in hand, in Your former form only, having four arms, O thousand-armed, Cosmic Being.

    Word-by-word meanings

    kirīṭinam—wearing the crown; gadinam—carrying the mace; chakra-hastam—disc in hand; ichchhāmi—I wish; tvām—you; draṣhṭum—to see; aham—I; tathā eva—similarly; tena eva—in that; rūpeṇa—form; chatuḥ-bhujena—four-armed; sahasra-bāho—thousand-armed one; bhava—be; viśhwa-mūrte—universal form

  47. 11.47

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

    śhrī-bhagavān uvācha mayā prasannena tavārjunedaṁ rūpaṁ paraṁ darśhitam ātma-yogāt tejo-mayaṁ viśhvam anantam ādyaṁ yan me tvad anyena na dṛiṣhṭa-pūrvam

    The Blessed Lord said, "O Arjuna, this Cosmic Form has graciously been shown to you by Me through My own Yogic power. It is full of splendour, primeval, and infinite; this Cosmic Form of Mine has never been seen before by anyone other than you."

    Word-by-word meanings

    śhrī-bhagavān uvācha—the Blessed Lord said; mayā—by me; prasannena—being pleased; tava—with you; arjuna—Arjun; idam—this; rūpam—form; param—divine; darśhitam—shown; ātma-yogāt—by my Yogmaya power; tejaḥ-mayam—resplendent; viśhwam—cosmic; anantam—unlimited; ādyam—primeval; yat—which; me—my; tvat anyena—other than you; na dṛiṣhṭa-pūrvam—no one has ever seen

  48. 11.48

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

    na veda-yajñādhyayanair na dānair na cha kriyābhir na tapobhir ugraiḥ evaṁ-rūpaḥ śhakya ahaṁ nṛi-loke draṣhṭuṁ tvad anyena kuru-pravīra

    Neither by the study of the Vedas, nor by gifts, nor by sacrifices, nor by severe austerities, can I be seen in this form in the world of men by any other than yourself, O great hero of the Kurus (Arjuna).

    Word-by-word meanings

    na—not; veda-yajña—by performance of sacrifice; adhyayanaiḥ—by study of the Vedas; na—nor; dānaiḥ—by charity; na—nor; cha—and; kriyābhiḥ—by rituals; na—not; tapobhiḥ—by austerities; ugraiḥ—severe; evam-rūpaḥ—in this form; śhakyaḥ—possible; aham—I; nṛi-loke—in the world of the mortals; draṣhṭum—to be seen; tvat—than you; anyena—by another; kuru-pravīra—the best of the Kuru warriors

  49. 11.49

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

    mā te vyathā mā cha vimūḍha-bhāvo dṛiṣhṭvā rūpaṁ ghoram īdṛiṅ mamedam vyapeta-bhīḥ prīta-manāḥ punas tvaṁ tad eva me rūpam idaṁ prapaśhya

    Do not be afraid, nor be bewildered on seeing such a terrible form of Mine; with your fear dispelled and with a gladdened heart, now behold again this former form of Mine.

    Word-by-word meanings

    mā te—you shout not be; vyathā—afraid; mā—not; cha—and; vimūḍha-bhāvaḥ—bewildered state; dṛiṣhṭvā—on seeing; rūpam—form; ghoram—terrible; īdṛik—such; mama—of mine; idam—this; vyapeta-bhīḥ—free from fear; prīta-manāḥ—cheerful mind; punaḥ—again; tvam—you; tat eva—that very; me—my; rūpam—form; idam—this; prapaśhya—behold

  50. 11.50

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

    sañjaya uvācha ity arjunaṁ vāsudevas tathoktvā svakaṁ rūpaṁ darśhayām āsa bhūyaḥ āśhvāsayām āsa cha bhītam enaṁ bhūtvā punaḥ saumya-vapur mahātmā

    Sanjaya said, Having thus spoken to Arjuna, Krishna again showed His own form. The great Soul, assuming His gentle form, then consoled Arjuna, who was terrified.

    Word-by-word meanings

    sañjayaḥ uvācha—Sanjay said; iti—thus; arjunam—to Arjun; vāsudevaḥ—Krishna, the son of Vasudev; tathā—in that way; uktvā—having spoken; svakam—his personal; rūpam—form; darśhayām āsa—displayed; bhūyaḥ—again; āśhvāsayām āsa—consoled; cha—and; bhītam—frightened; enam—him; bhūtvā—becoming; punaḥ—again; saumya-vapuḥ—the gentle (two-armed) form; mahā-ātmā—the compassionate

  51. 11.51

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

    arjuna uvācha dṛiṣhṭvedaṁ mānuṣhaṁ rūpaṁ tava saumyaṁ janārdana idānīm asmi saṁvṛittaḥ sa-chetāḥ prakṛitiṁ gataḥ

    Arjuna said, "Having seen this Thy gentle human form, O Krishna, now I am composed and have been restored to my own nature."

    Word-by-word meanings

    arjunaḥ uvācha—Arjun said; dṛiṣhṭvā—seeing; idam—this; mānuṣham—human; rūpam—form; tava—your; saumyam—gentle; janārdana—he who looks after the public, Krishna; idānīm—now; asmi—I am; saṁvṛittaḥ—composed; sa-chetāḥ—in my mind; prakṛitim—to normality; gataḥ—have become

  52. 11.52

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

    śhrī-bhagavān uvācha su-durdarśham idaṁ rūpaṁ dṛiṣhṭavān asi yan mama devā apy asya rūpasya nityaṁ darśhana-kāṅkṣhiṇaḥ

    The Blessed Lord said, "It is very hard indeed to see this form of Mine which thou hast seen; even the gods are ever longing to behold it."

    Word-by-word meanings

    śhrī-bhagavān uvācha—the Supreme Lord said; su-durdarśham—exceedingly difficult to behold; idam—this; rūpam—form; dṛiṣhṭavān asi—that you are seeing; yat—which; mama—of mine; devāḥ—the celestial gods; api—even; asya—this; rūpasya—form; nityam—eternally; darśhana-kāṅkṣhiṇaḥ—aspiring to see;

  53. 11.53

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

    nāhaṁ vedair na tapasā na dānena na chejyayā śhakya evaṁ-vidho draṣhṭuṁ dṛiṣhṭavān asi māṁ yathā

    Neither by the Vedas, nor by austerity, nor by gift, nor by sacrifice can I be seen in this form as thou hast seen Me so easily.

    Word-by-word meanings

    na—never; aham—I; vedaiḥ—by study of the Vedas; na—never; tapasā—by serious penances; na—never; dānena—by charity; na—never; cha—also; ijyayā—by worship; śhakyaḥ—it is possible; evam-vidhaḥ—like this; draṣhṭum—to see; dṛiṣhṭavān—seeing; asi—you are; mām—me; yathā—as

  54. 11.54

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

    bhaktyā tv ananyayā śhakya aham evaṁ-vidho ’rjuna jñātuṁ draṣhṭuṁ cha tattvena praveṣhṭuṁ cha parantapa

    But by single-minded devotion, I can be known, seen, and entered into in reality, O Arjuna.

    Word-by-word meanings

    bhaktyā—by devotion; tu—alone; ananyayā—unalloyed; śhakyaḥ—possible; aham—I; evam-vidhaḥ—like this; arjuna—Arjun; jñātum—to be known; draṣhṭum—to be seen; cha—and; tattvena—truly; praveṣhṭum—to enter into (union with me); cha—and; parantapa—scorcher of foes

  55. 11.55

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

    mat-karma-kṛin mat-paramo mad-bhaktaḥ saṅga-varjitaḥ nirvairaḥ sarva-bhūteṣhu yaḥ sa mām eti pāṇḍava

    He who does all actions for Me, who regards Me as the Supreme, who is devoted to Me, who is free from attachment, who bears no enmity towards any creature, he comes to Me, O Arjuna.

    Word-by-word meanings

    mat-karma-kṛit—perform duties for my sake; mat-paramaḥ—considering me the Supreme; mat-bhaktaḥ—devoted to me; saṅga-varjitaḥ—free from attachment; nirvairaḥ—without malice; sarva-bhūteṣhu—toward all entities; yaḥ—who; saḥ—he; mām—to me; eti—comes; pāṇḍava—Arjun, the son of Pandu