Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 11
The Yoga of the Cosmic Vision
55 verses · Arjuna is granted divine vision to behold Krishna's cosmic form — infinite, all-encompassing, both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
Chapter 11
विश्वरूपदर्शनयोग
Viśhwarūpa Darśhana Yoga
11.1
Arjuna said: By your grace, you have spoken to me the supreme secret of the self
11.2
I have heard from you in detail about the origin and dissolution of all beings, O…
11.3
O Supreme Lord, you are as you have described yourself
11.4
If you think it possible for me to behold it, O Lord of Yoga, then reveal to me your…
11.5
The Supreme Lord said: Behold, O Arjuna, my divine forms — by the hundreds and thousands,…
11.6
Behold the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Ashvini Kumaras, and the Maruts
11.7
Behold now the entire universe — moving and non-moving — standing as one within my body,…
11.8
But you cannot see me with your ordinary eyes
11.9
Sanjaya said: O King, having spoken thus, the great Lord of Yoga, Hari, then revealed to…
11.10
With numerous faces and eyes, with numerous wondrous sights, with numerous divine…
11.11
Wearing divine garlands and garments, anointed with celestial fragrances — the…
11.12
If a thousand suns were to rise simultaneously in the sky, that radiance might resemble…
11.13
There, in the body of the God of gods, Arjuna then saw the entire universe — with its…
11.14
Then Arjuna, filled with wonder, his hair standing on end, bowed his head before the Lord…
11.15
Arjuna said: O Lord, I see within your body all the gods, hosts of various beings, Lord…
11.16
I see you with infinite arms, bellies, faces, and eyes — your form is limitless on every…
11.17
I see you with crown, mace, and discus — a mass of radiance blazing on all sides,…
11.18
You are the imperishable, the supreme to be known
11.19
Without beginning, middle, or end, of infinite power, with infinite arms, the sun and…
11.20
The space between heaven and earth, and all the directions, are pervaded by you alone
11.21
The hosts of celestial beings enter into you — some in fear, with folded hands, offer…
11.22
The Rudras, Adityas, Vasus, Sadhyas, Vishvedevas, Ashvini Kumaras, Maruts, ancestors,…
11.23
Seeing your mighty form with its many faces and eyes, many arms, thighs and feet, many…
11.24
Seeing you touching the sky, blazing with many colors, with mouths wide open and fiery,…
11.25
Seeing your mouths with terrible tusks, resembling the fire of cosmic destruction, I lose…
11.26
All the sons of Dhritarashtra, along with hosts of kings — Bhishma, Drona, Karna —…
11.27
They are rushing into your terrifying mouths with their fearsome tusks
11.28
As many torrents of rivers flow toward the ocean, so do these heroes of the mortal world…
11.29
As moths rush with great speed into a blazing fire for their own destruction, so also do…
11.30
Devouring all the worlds from every side, you lick them with your flaming mouths
11.31
Tell me who you are in this fierce form
11.32
The Supreme Lord said: I am mighty Time, the destroyer of worlds, engaged here in…
11.33
Therefore arise and attain glory
11.34
Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna, and other brave warriors have already been slain by me
11.35
Sanjaya said: Having heard Krishna's words, the trembling Arjuna, with folded hands,…
11.36
Arjuna said: It is fitting, O Krishna, that the world rejoices and is drawn to your glory
11.37
And why should they not bow to you, O great soul
11.38
You are the primeval God, the ancient Being
11.39
You are the wind god, the god of death, the fire god, the water god, the moon, the lord…
11.40
I bow to you from the front, from behind, and from every side
11.41
Thinking of you as a friend, I have presumed to address you as 'O Krishna,' 'O Yadava,'…
11.42
In whatever way I may have disrespected you — while joking, resting, sitting, or eating,…
11.43
You are the father of the world — of all that moves and does not move
11.44
Therefore, bowing down and prostrating my body before you, I seek your grace, O…
11.45
I am thrilled to have seen what was never seen before, yet my mind trembles with fear
11.46
I wish to see you as before — with crown, mace, and discus in hand
11.47
The Supreme Lord said: Being pleased with you, O Arjuna, I have shown you by my own yogic…
11.48
Not by the study of the Vedas, not by austerities, not by charity, not by rituals can I…
11.49
Do not be disturbed or bewildered by seeing this terrible form of mine
11.50
Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus to Arjuna, Krishna once again displayed his own gentle…
11.51
Arjuna said: Seeing your gentle human form, O Krishna, I am now composed
11.52
The Supreme Lord said: This form of mine that you have seen is very difficult to behold
11.53
Neither by the study of the Vedas, nor by austerity, nor by charity, nor by rituals can I…
11.54
But through exclusive, undivided devotion alone, O Arjuna, I can be known, truly seen,…
11.55
One who performs all actions for me, regards me as the supreme goal, is devoted to me, is…