BG 11.1 - 55

You have described to me in detail the origin and dissolution of beings, and your own eternal greatness.

I believe all is as you have described it. I now wish to behold your divine form.

If you think it is possible for me to see it, then reveal yourself fully to me.

Behold, Arjuna! My celestial forms, by the hundreds and thousands, of all shapes and colors.

Behold the powers of nature, the sun, the heavens, the moon and the stars, the forces of vitality and healing, and the powerful winds. Behold the wonders that have never been seen before.

Behold the universe living in me, with all its moving and immovable things. Behold whatever else you desire to see!

Since you cannot see me with mortal eyes, I give you divine sight, so you may behold my cosmic manifestation.

Having thus spoken, my king, the great Lord of Yoga revealed to Arjuna his divine form.

There were countless eyes, mouths, and mystic forms, with divine ornaments and celestial weapons.

Crowned with heavenly garlands, anointed with divine perfumes, he showed himself as the resplendent, marvelous, boundless, and omnipotent one.

If a thousand suns were to blaze forth together, it would be but a faint reflection of the radiance of that almighty being.

There, in the body of the Supreme God, Arjuna saw the entire universe resting in a single spot.

Then, overcome with amazement, his hairs standing on end, he bowed his head to Krishna and spoke with folded hands.

In your body, I behold all the gods and creatures - the god of creation Brahma, the god of destruction Shiva, all the divine beings, the great sages, the ghosts, and the celestial serpents.

I see your infinite arms, bellies, mouths, and eyes, expanding boundlessly. I see in you neither a beginning, nor a middle, nor an end.

I see your shining crown, scepter, and discus - what a difficult radiance to behold! You glow like a blazing fire, immeasurable as the sun.

You are the imperishable, the supreme one to be known. You are the great keeper of the universe, guardian of eternal life, and the everlasting spirit.

I see you without beginning, middle, or end, infinite in power, with innumerable arms, the sun and moon as your eyes, and the blazing fire as your mouth, flooding the entire universe with light.

You alone fill the space between heaven and earth. The three worlds tremble at seeing your marvelous and awe-inspiring form.

The hosts of celestial beings are surrendering before you and entering into you. Some of them, in fear, offer prayer by folded hands. Many great sages and perfected beings, hailing your name, praise you with great hymns.

Seeing your immense form, with many mouths, eyes, arms, thighs, feet, teeth, and stomachs, the worlds tremble in fear, as do I.

When I see you, touching the heavens, glowing with color, with mouth wide open and resplendent eyes blazing, I am filled with terror - my courage and peace of mind abandons me.

When I see your fearful jaws, glowing like the all-consuming fire of final dissolution, I forget where I am, and can find no rest. Be merciful on me, lord of lords, in whom this universe abides!

As the many rivers rush toward the ocean, these great heroes of the world fling themselves into your flaming mouth.

Like a moth rushing toward the flame, only to meet their destruction, these creatures swiftly rush toward your mouths to hasten their own destruction.

You devour the world on all sides with your flaming mouths. Your radiant glory fills the universe and scorches it, Vishnu!

Tell me, who are you who wears this dreadful form? I bow before you and pray for your mercy. I desire to see you in your primal form, for I do not fully understand your intentions.

I am time, destroyer of worlds. With or without your involvement, I will destroy the warriors in both these armies.

Therefore, arise and win glory. Conquer your foes, and enjoy the princely pleasures. I have already slain your foes - you are but a mere instrument in their destruction.

Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna, and all the other mighty warriors, have all been condemned to die by my hand. Fight them without fear in this great battle.

Having heard Krishna say all this, Arjuna prostrated before him with folded hands. Overwhelmed with fear, he addressed him again, his voice overcome with emotion.

It is rightly so, Krishna, that the world should revel and rejoice in praises of your glory. The demons flee in fear, and the saints bow down before you.

And why should they not bow down to you, who is greater than all, creator of Brahma? You are the first cause, the infinite, the home of the universe, and the imperishable. You are existence, non-existence, and that which is beyond both.

You are the primal God, the ancient soul, the supreme resting place of the universe, the knower and what is to be known, the highest abode, and pervader of the universe in your infinite forms.

You are the wind and you are death. You are the fire, the water, the moon, the father, and the grandfather. Hail to you a thousand times! Hail to you again and again!

Salutations to you from the front and from all sides, for you encompass me all around. Your power is infinite, your glory is immeasurable, and you pervade all things. You yourself are all things!

For you are the father of all that moves and does not move in this world. You are its teacher and the one most worthy of reverence. In all the worlds, none are your equal - how could there possibly be anyone greater?

Therefore, bowing down and prostrating before you, I implore you for mercy and blessings. Forgive my faults like a father bears with a son, like a friend to a friend, and like a lover to their beloved.

I rejoice that I have seen what no man has ever seen before, yet I am overwhelmed with fear. Please be merciful and return to the form I know.

I wish to see you as you were before, wearing a crown, wielding a mace, holding a discus in your hand, in your four-armed form.

It is only through my grace and power that you have been able to see this vision of my supreme form in all its radiance and universal glory. Never has it been seen by anyone else.

Neither through the study of the Vedas, nor through sacrifice, nor through charity and austerity, can this form be perceived by anyone other than yourself, Arjuna.

Do not be afraid or confused by this terrible vision. Free yourself from fear, and with a joyous heart, see me again in my earlier form.

Having thus spoken to Arjuna, Krishna returned to his earlier form, reassuring the frightened Arjuna.

Seeing you in your gentle human form, I have regained my composure and am myself again.

It is difficult to see the vision that you have seen. Even the gods desire to see this form of mine.

It is not possible to see me as you have through studying the scriptures, performing austerities, giving gifts, or making sacrifices.

Only through unwavering devotion can I be seen and known. This is the only way to become one with me.

One who performs action for me, who regards me as the supreme goal, who is devoted to me, free from attachment, bearing no animosity toward any creature, becomes one with me.