Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga, the Cosmic Form

In chapter 10 Arjuna heard of God's glories. In chapter 11 he prays to see them with his own eyes, and God shows him His cosmic form, in which the whole universe, all of time and all beings appear at once.

Verses 1 to 4: Arjuna's prayer

Arjuna says: "By the supreme secret about the self that you told me out of grace, my delusion is gone. I have heard in detail from you, lotus-eyed one, of the birth and dissolution of beings and of your imperishable greatness. It is as you say, Supreme Lord, but I wish to see your divine form. If you think I am able to see it, Lord of yoga, show me your imperishable self."

Verses 5 to 8: divine sight

Krishna says: "Behold, Partha, my forms by hundreds and thousands, divine, of many kinds, colours and shapes. See the Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, the Ashvins and the Maruts; see many wonders never seen before. See here today the whole universe, moving and unmoving, in one place in my body, and whatever else you wish to see."

"But you cannot see me with these eyes of yours. I give you divine sight; behold my divine power (11.8)."

Verses 9 to 14: Sanjaya describes the form

Sanjaya tells Dhritarashtra: "Having said this, Hari, the great Lord of yoga, showed Arjuna His supreme form: with many mouths and eyes, many wondrous sights, many divine ornaments and raised divine weapons, wearing divine garlands and garments, anointed with divine fragrance, all-wonderful, infinite, facing everywhere."

Divi surya sahasrasya bhaved yugapad utthita
yadi bhah sadrishi sa syad bhasas tasya mahatmanah (11.12)

Meaning: If the light of a thousand suns rose at once in the sky, it might resemble the splendour of that mighty being.

Arjuna saw the whole universe with its many divisions gathered in the body of the God of gods. Then, overwhelmed with wonder, his hair standing on end, he bowed his head and spoke with joined palms.

Verses 15 to 31: what Arjuna saw

"O God, I see in your body all the gods and hosts of beings, Brahma seated on the lotus, Shiva, all the sages and the divine serpents. I see you with countless arms, bellies, mouths and eyes, infinite on every side; I see no end, no middle and no beginning in you, Lord of the universe. I see you with crown, mace and discus, a mass of radiance blazing everywhere like fire and the sun, hard to behold. You are the Imperishable to be known, the final resting place of the world, guardian of eternal dharma, the eternal Person."

"Without beginning, middle or end, of infinite power and countless arms, with the sun and moon as your eyes and blazing fire as your mouth, you scorch this universe with your radiance. The space between heaven and earth and all the directions are filled by you alone; seeing your wondrous, terrible form the three worlds tremble. Hosts of gods enter you; some in fear praise you with joined palms; great sages and perfected beings cry 'May all be well!' and sing your praise. Rudras, Adityas, Vasus, Sadhyas, Vishvedevas, Ashvins, Maruts, ancestors, gandharvas, yakshas, asuras and siddhas all gaze at you in amazement."

"Seeing your vast form with many mouths, eyes and arms and terrible teeth, the worlds are terrified and so am I. Seeing you touching the sky, blazing with many colours, mouths wide open and great fiery eyes, I lose courage and peace. Be gracious, Lord of gods."

"All the sons of Dhritarashtra with hosts of kings, Bhishma, Drona, Karna and our own chief warriors are rushing into your fearful mouths; some are caught between your teeth, their heads crushed. As rivers race to the ocean, as moths rush into a blazing fire to perish, these heroes rush into your mouths. Tell me who you are in this fearsome form. I bow to you, best of gods; be gracious. I wish to know you, for I do not understand what you are doing."

Verses 32 to 34: I am Time

Kalo 'smi loka kshaya krit pravriddho lokan samahartum iha pravrittah
rite 'pi tvam na bhavishyanti sarve ye 'vasthitah pratyanikeshu yodhah (11.32)

Meaning: I am Time, the mighty destroyer of worlds, now engaged in destroying these people. Even without you, none of the warriors arrayed in the opposing armies will survive.

"Therefore arise and win glory; conquer your enemies and enjoy a prosperous kingdom. They have already been slain by me; 'nimitta matram bhava savyasachin', be merely the instrument, you who can shoot with either hand (11.33). Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna and the other heroes are already slain by me; slay them and do not be troubled. Fight, and you will conquer."

Verses 35 to 46: Arjuna's praise and plea for forgiveness

Sanjaya says: "Hearing Keshava's words, trembling, Arjuna bowed with joined palms and spoke in a faltering voice: 'It is right, Hrishikesha, that the world rejoices in your praise, that demons flee in fear and the perfected bow to you. Why should they not bow to you, the first creator, greater even than Brahma? You are the first God, the eternal Person, the supreme refuge of the world, the knower and the known, the highest abode. You are Vayu, Yama, Agni, Varuna, the moon, the Creator and the great-grandsire. Salutations to you a thousand times, and again and again; salutations before you, behind you and on every side.'"

"Not knowing your greatness, thinking of you as a friend, out of love or carelessness I called you 'O Krishna, O Yadava, O friend'; and if in jest I showed you disrespect while playing, resting, sitting or eating, alone or before others, I beg your forgiveness, immeasurable one. As a father bears with a son, a friend with a friend, a lover with the beloved, so please bear with me. I rejoice at seeing what was never seen before, yet my mind is shaken with fear. Show me your divine form with four arms, with crown, mace and discus."

Verses 47 to 50: the gentle form

Krishna says: "By my grace and power I have shown you this supreme form, radiant, infinite and primal, which no one but you has seen before. Not by study of the Vedas, sacrifice, charity, rituals or severe austerities can I be seen in this form in the human world by anyone but you. Do not be afraid or bewildered by this terrible form; free from fear and glad at heart, behold my familiar form again."

Sanjaya says: "Having said this, Vasudeva showed his own four-armed form again, and then, taking his gentle human form, comforted the frightened Arjuna."

Verses 51 to 55: only through undivided devotion

Arjuna says: "Seeing this gentle human form of yours, Janardana, I am now calm and myself again."

Krishna says: "This form of mine is very hard to see; even the gods long to see it. 'Bhaktya tv ananyaya shakya', only by undivided devotion can I be known, seen in truth and entered into, Arjuna (11.54)."

Mat karma krin mat paramo mad bhaktah sanga varjitah
nirvairah sarva bhuteshu yah sa mam eti pandava (11.55)

Meaning: One who works for me, makes me the supreme goal, is devoted to me, free of attachment and without enmity towards any being, comes to me, son of Pandu.

What this chapter teaches

• God's full form is not seen with ordinary eyes but with the sight of grace and devotion.
• Time does its work; we are only instruments. This removes both pride and fear.
• Do not forget respect in closeness: Arjuna asked forgiveness for treating his friend lightly.
• The way to the highest vision is simple: work for God, detachment, and enmity towards none.