Shrimad Bhagavad Gita · 55 verses
Chapter 11: The Vision of the Universal Form
At Arjuna's request, Krishna reveals his cosmic universal form, and Arjuna is filled with wonder and awe.
All verses, with meaning
11.1Arjuna's confusion is goneArjuna said: Out of kindness to me, you have spoken the deepest secret about the Self. Thr…11.2Hearing of His greatnessLotus-eyed Krishna, I have heard from you in detail how beings are born and how they disso…11.3Wish to see God's formO Supreme Lord, it is just as you have described yourself. Yet, O greatest of beings, I wi…11.4A humble requestLord, if you think I am able to see it, then, O Master of yoga, please show me your eterna…11.5Countless divine formsShri Krishna said: Behold, Arjuna, my forms by the hundreds and thousands — divine, of man…11.6Wonders never seen beforeSee the Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, the two Ashvins and the Maruts. See many wonders, Arjuna, …11.7The whole universe in one placeHere, today, see the whole universe — everything that moves and does not move — gathered t…11.8Gift of divine sightBut you cannot see me with these ordinary eyes of yours. So I give you divine sight; now b…11.9Hari reveals HimselfSanjay said: O King, having said this, Hari, the great Master of yoga, showed Arjuna his s…11.10Many faces, many wondersIt had countless mouths and eyes and showed countless wonders. It wore many divine ornamen…11.11Infinite and all-facingHe wore divine garlands and garments and was anointed with heavenly fragrance. He was full…11.12Brighter than a thousand sunsIf a thousand suns were to rise in the sky at the same time, their light might perhaps mat…11.13All worlds in one bodyThere, in the body of the God of gods, Arjuna saw the entire universe, with all its many d…11.14Arjuna bows in aweFilled with wonder, his hair standing on end, Arjuna bowed his head to the Lord and, with …11.15All gods within HimArjuna said: O God, in your body I see all the gods and all kinds of beings — Brahma seate…11.16No beginning, middle or endI see you everywhere, with endless arms, bellies, faces and eyes. O Lord of the universe, …11.17A mass of blazing lightI see you with crown, mace and discus, a mass of light shining on all sides. You are hard …11.18Guardian of eternal dharmaYou are the imperishable Supreme, the one truth to be known; you are the final resting pla…11.19Sun and moon as eyesI see you without beginning, middle or end, with endless power and countless arms, the sun…11.20The three worlds trembleThe space between heaven and earth and all directions are filled by you alone. Seeing this…11.21Gods praise in fearHosts of gods are entering into you; some, afraid, praise you with folded hands. Great sag…11.22All beings stare in wonderThe Rudras, Adityas, Vasus, Sadhyas, Vishvedevas, the Ashvins, Maruts, ancestors, and host…11.23The worlds are frightenedSeeing your vast form, mighty-armed one, with many mouths and eyes, many arms, thighs and …11.24Arjuna loses his calmSeeing you touching the sky, blazing in many colours, with mouths wide open and huge fiery…11.25Plea for mercySeeing your mouths with fearsome tusks, blazing like the fire at the end of time, I lose a…11.26Warriors rushing inAll the sons of Dhritarashtra, along with hosts of kings, Bhishma, Drona and Karna, and th…11.27Into the jaws of timeare rushing into your fearsome mouths with terrible tusks. Some are seen caught between yo…11.28Like rivers into the seaJust as many rivers rush with force toward the ocean, so these heroes of the human world a…11.29Like moths into fireAs moths fly fast into a blazing fire to their own end, so these people rush at full speed…11.30Devouring the worldsWith your flaming mouths you swallow all the worlds on every side and lick your lips. Your…11.31Who are You?Tell me, who are you in this fierce form? I bow to you, best of gods; be kind to me. I wan…11.32I am TimeShri Krishna said: I am Time, the mighty destroyer of worlds, now come forth to end these …11.33Be only an instrumentSo rise up and win glory; defeat your enemies and enjoy a prosperous kingdom. They have al…11.34Fight without fearDrona, Bhishma, Jayadrath, Karna and other brave warriors have already been slain by me; y…11.35Arjuna trembles and bowsSanjay said: Hearing these words of Keshav, Arjuna, trembling, joined his hands and bowed …11.36The world rejoices in HimArjuna said: Rightly, Hrishikesh, the world rejoices and delights in praising you. Demons …11.37Why would they not bow?And why should they not bow to you, great one? You are greater than even Brahma, the first…11.38The first GodYou are the first God, the ancient Person, the final resting place of this universe. You a…11.39Salutations a thousand timesYou are Vayu, Yama, Agni, Varun, the moon, Prajapati and the great-grandfather of all. Sal…11.40Bowing on all sidesSalutations to you in front and behind, salutations on every side, O All. Your strength an…11.41Asking forgivenessThinking of you as just a friend, I carelessly called you "O Krishna, O Yadav, O friend," …11.42Forgive my faultsand if I ever slighted you in jest while playing, resting, sitting or eating, alone or in …11.43Father of the worldYou are the father of this whole world, of all that moves and does not move. You are its m…11.44As a father forgives a sonSo I bow down and lay my body before you, praying for your grace, O worshipful Lord. Bear …11.45Show your gentle formI am thrilled to have seen what was never seen before, yet my mind is shaken with fear. Sh…11.46The four-armed formI wish to see you as before, wearing a crown, holding mace and discus. O thousand-armed on…11.47A form shown out of graceShri Krishna said: Arjuna, pleased with you, I have shown you through my own power this su…11.48Not by rituals aloneNot through study of the Vedas, sacrifices, charity, rituals or severe austerities can any…11.49Do not be afraidDo not be afraid or bewildered at seeing this terrible form of mine. Free from fear and wi…11.50Krishna's gentle form returnsSanjay said: Having spoken thus, Vasudev showed Arjuna his own form again. Taking his gent…11.51Arjuna at peace againArjuna said: Janardan, seeing this gentle human form of yours, my mind is calm again and I…11.52Even gods long to see itShri Krishna said: This form of mine that you have seen is very hard to see. Even the gods…11.53Beyond Vedas and austerityNot by the Vedas, nor by austerity, nor by charity, nor by sacrifice can I be seen in the …11.54Seen through pure devotionBut through single-minded devotion alone, Arjuna, I can be known in this way, seen truly, …11.55The true devoteeOne who works for me, holds me as the highest goal, is devoted to me, is free from attachm…