Bhagavad Gita · chapter 11

Verse 1

अर्जुन उवाच
मदनुग्रहाय परमं गुह्यमध्यात्मसंज्ञितम्
यत्त्वयोक्तं वचस्तेन मोहोऽयं विगतो मम

Arjuna said: By explaining this highest secret of the self, for the sake of blessing me, my delusion has been lifted.

Commentary

Verse 2

भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया
त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम्

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

Commentary

Verse 3

एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर
द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम

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

Commentary

Verse 4

मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो
योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयाऽत्मानमव्ययम्

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

Commentary

Verse 5

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

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

Commentary

Verse 6

पश्यादित्यान्वसून्रुद्रानश्िवनौ मरुतस्तथा
बहून्यदृष्टपूर्वाणि पश्याऽश्चर्याणि भारत

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.

Commentary

Verse 7

इहैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम्
मम देहे गुडाकेश यच्चान्यद्द्रष्टुमिच्छसि

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

Commentary

Verse 8

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

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

Commentary

Verse 9

सञ्जय उवाच
एवमुक्त्वा ततो राजन्महायोगेश्वरो हरिः
दर्शयामास पार्थाय परमं रूपमैश्वरम्

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

Commentary

Verse 10

अनेकवक्त्रनयनमनेकाद्भुतदर्शनम्
अनेकदिव्याभरणं दिव्यानेकोद्यतायुधम्

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

Commentary

Verse 11

दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरं दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनम्
सर्वाश्चर्यमयं देवमनन्तं विश्वतोमुखम्

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

Commentary

Verse 12

दिवि सूर्यसहस्रस्य भवेद्युगपदुत्थिता
यदि भाः सदृशी सा स्याद्भासस्तस्य महात्मनः

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

Commentary

Verse 13

तत्रैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं प्रविभक्तमनेकधा
अपश्यद्देवदेवस्य शरीरे पाण्डवस्तदा

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

Commentary

Verse 14

ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो हृष्टरोमा धनञ्जयः
प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं कृताञ्जलिरभाषत

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

Commentary

Verse 15

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

Arjuna said: 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.

Commentary

Verse 16

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

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

Commentary

Verse 17

किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रिणं च
तेजोराशिं सर्वतोदीप्तिमन्तम्
पश्यामि त्वां दुर्निरीक्ष्यं समन्ता
द्दीप्तानलार्कद्युतिमप्रमेयम्

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

Commentary

Verse 18

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

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.

Commentary

Verse 19

अनादिमध्यान्तमनन्तवीर्य
मनन्तबाहुं शशिसूर्यनेत्रम्
पश्यामि त्वां दीप्तहुताशवक्त्रम्
स्वतेजसा विश्वमिदं तपन्तम्

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.

Commentary

Verse 20

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

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

Commentary

Verse 21

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

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.

Commentary

Verse 22

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

The forces of vitality, major stars, fire, earth, air, sky, sun, heaven, moon, planets, angels, guardians of the universe, divine healers, winds, fathers, heavenly singers, and hosts of material-worshippers, demons, and saints, all gaze upon you in amazement.

Commentary

Verse 23

रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं
महाबाहो बहुबाहूरुपादम्
बहूदरं बहुदंष्ट्राकरालं
दृष्ट्वा लोकाः प्रव्यथितास्तथाऽहम्

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

Commentary

Verse 24

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

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.

Commentary

Verse 25

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

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!

Commentary

Verse 26 - 27

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

वक्त्राणि ते त्वरमाणा विशन्ति
दंष्ट्राकरालानि भयानकानि
केचिद्विलग्ना दशनान्तरेषु
संदृश्यन्ते चूर्णितैरुत्तमाङ्गैः

All these sons of Dhritarashtra and their allies, as well as the leading warriors on our side,

are rushing headfirst into your fearful mouth, crushed to powder between your teeth.

Commentary

Verse 28

यथा नदीनां बहवोऽम्बुवेगाः
समुद्रमेवाभिमुखाः द्रवन्ति
तथा तवामी नरलोकवीरा
विशन्ति वक्त्राण्यभिविज्वलन्ति

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

Commentary

Verse 29

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

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

Commentary

Verse 30

लेलिह्यसे ग्रसमानः समन्ता
ल्लोकान्समग्रान्वदनैर्ज्वलद्भिः
तेजोभिरापूर्य जगत्समग्रं
भासस्तवोग्राः प्रतपन्ति विष्णो

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

Commentary

Verse 31

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

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.

Commentary

Verse 32

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

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

Commentary

Verse 33

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

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.

Commentary

Verse 34

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

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.

Commentary

Verse 35

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

Sanjaya said: 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.

Commentary

Verse 36

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

Arjuna said: 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.

Commentary

Verse 37

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

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.

Commentary

Verse 38

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

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.

Commentary

Verse 39

वायुर्यमोऽग्निर्वरुणः शशाङ्कः
प्रजापतिस्त्वं प्रपितामहश्च
नमो नमस्तेऽस्तु सहस्रकृत्वः
पुनश्च भूयोऽपि नमो नमस्ते

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!

Commentary

Verse 40

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

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!

Commentary

Verse 41 - 42

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

यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसि
विहारशय्यासनभोजनेषु
एकोऽथवाप्यच्युत तत्समक्षं
तत्क्षामये त्वामहमप्रमेयम्

Whatever I have said to you inadvertently, addressing you as "Krishna", "Yadava", or "friend" in thoughtless familiarity, without understanding your true greatness

and whatever disrespect has been shown to you in jest, while playing, resting, sitting, or eating, whether alone or in the presence of others - I implore you for forgiveness.

Commentary

Verse 43

पितासि लोकस्य चराचरस्य
त्वमस्य पूज्यश्च गुरुर्गरीयान्
न त्वत्समोऽस्त्यभ्यधिकः कुतोऽन्यो
लोकत्रयेऽप्यप्रतिमप्रभाव

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?

Commentary

Verse 44

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

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.

Commentary

Verse 45

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

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.

Commentary

Verse 46

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

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.

Commentary

Verse 47

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

Krishna replied: 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.

Commentary

Verse 48

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

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.

Commentary

Verse 49

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

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.

Commentary

Verse 50

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

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

Commentary

Verse 51

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

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

Commentary

Verse 52

श्री भगवानुवाच
सुदुर्दर्शमिदं रूपं दृष्टवानसि यन्मम
देवा अप्यस्य रूपस्य नित्यं दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः

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

Commentary

Verse 53

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

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

Commentary

Verse 54

भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्यमहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन
ज्ञातुं दृष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परंतप

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

Commentary

Verse 55

मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः सङ्गवर्जितः
निर्वैरः सर्वभूतेषु यः स मामेति पाण्डव

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.

Commentary

Summary

BG 11.1 - 55

Next chapter