Chapter 11
Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga
विश्वरूपदर्शनयोग
The Yoga of the Universal Form · 55 verses
Summary · Path of Devotion
Arjuna asks to see the cosmic Form — and is granted divine sight. He beholds all beings in one body, universes whirling past, time as the destroyer devouring worlds. Trembling, he takes refuge, praises, and asks the Lord to return to his beloved human form — and is told: only by single-minded devotion can I be seen thus.
cosmic formtime the destroyerone-pointed devotion
1 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga अर्जुन उवाच |
मदनुग्रहाय परमं गुह्यमध्यात्मसंज्ञितम् |
यत्त्वयोक्तं वचस्तेन मोहोऽयं विगतो मम ||११-१|| 11.1 Arjuna said To show favour to Me, You have told me that most profound mystery concerning the self; by that, this delusion of mine is dispelled. ›2 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया |
त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम् ||११-२|| 11.2 The origination and dissolution of all beings, O Krsna, (as issuing from You) have been heard verily by me at length as also Your immutable greatness. ›3 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर |
द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम ||११-३|| 11.3 O Supreme Lord, how You described Yourself, even so are You. I wish to see Your Lordly form, O Supreme Person. ›4 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो |
योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयात्मानमव्ययम् ||११-४|| 11.4 If you think, O Lord, that it can be seen by me, then, O Lord of Yoga, reveal Yourself to me completely. ›5 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga श्रीभगवानुवाच |
पश्य मे पार्थ रूपाणि शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः |
नानाविधानि दिव्यानि नानावर्णाकृतीनि च ||११-५|| 11.5 The Lord said Behold My forms, O Arjuna, hundreds upon thousands, manifold, divine, varied in hue and shape. ›6 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga पश्यादित्यान्वसून्रुद्रानश्विनौ मरुतस्तथा |
बहून्यदृष्टपूर्वाणि पश्याश्चर्याणि भारत ||११-६|| 11.6 Behold the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the two Asvins and the Maruts. Behold, O Arjuna, many marvels never seen before. ›7 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga इहैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम् |
मम देहे गुडाकेश यच्चान्यद् द्रष्टुमिच्छसि ||११-७|| 11.7 Behold here, O Arjuna, the whole universe with its mobile and immobile things centred in My body and whatever else you desire to see. ›8 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा |
दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षुः पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् ||११-८|| 11.8 But you will not be able to see Me with your own eye. I give you a divine eye. Behold My Lordly Yoga! ›9 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga सञ्जय उवाच |
एवमुक्त्वा ततो राजन्महायोगेश्वरो हरिः |
दर्शयामास पार्थाय परमं रूपमैश्वरम् ||११-९|| 11.9 Sanjaya said Having spoken, O King, Sri Krsna, the gread Lord of Yoga, then revealed to Arjuna the supreme Lordly Form. ›10 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga अनेकवक्त्रनयनमनेकाद्भुतदर्शनम् |
अनेकदिव्याभरणं दिव्यानेकोद्यतायुधम् ||११-१०|| 11.10 With innumerable mouths and eyes, many marvellous aspects, many divine ornaments and many divine weapons. ›11 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरं दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनम् |
सर्वाश्चर्यमयं देवमनन्तं विश्वतोमुखम् ||११-११|| 11.11 Wearing celestial garlands and raiments, anointed with divine perfumes, full of all wonders, resplendent, boundless and facing all directions. ›12 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga दिवि सूर्यसहस्रस्य भवेद्युगपदुत्थिता |
यदि भाः सदृशी सा स्याद्भासस्तस्य महात्मनः ||११-१२|| 11.12 If a thousand suns were to rise at once in the sky, the resulting splendour may be like the splendour of that mighty One. ›13 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga तत्रैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं प्रविभक्तमनेकधा |
अपश्यद्देवदेवस्य शरीरे पाण्डवस्तदा ||११-१३|| 11.13 There (in that form) Arjuna beheld the whole universe, with its manifold divisions gathered together in one single spot within the body of the God of gods. ›14 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो हृष्टरोमा धनञ्जयः |
प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं कृताञ्जलिरभाषत ||११-१४|| 11.14 Then he, Arjuna, overcome with amazement, his hairs standing erect, bowed his head to the Lord, and with folded hands spoke. ›15 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga अर्जुन उवाच |
पश्यामि देवांस्तव देव देहे
सर्वांस्तथा भूतविशेषसङ्घान् |
ब्रह्माणमीशं कमलासनस्थ-
मृषींश्च सर्वानुरगांश्च दिव्यान् ||११-१५|| 11.15 Arjuna said I behold, O Lord, in Your body all the gods and all the diverse hosts of beings. Brahma, Siva (Isa) who is in Brahma, the seers and the lustrous snakes. ›16 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga अनेकबाहूदरवक्त्रनेत्रं
पश्यामि त्वां सर्वतोऽनन्तरूपम् |
नान्तं न मध्यं न पुनस्तवादिं
पश्यामि विश्वेश्वर विश्वरूप ||११-१६|| 11.16 With manifold arms, stomachs, mouths and eyes, I behold Your infinite form on all sides. I see no end, no middle nor the beginning too of You, O Lord of the universe, O You of Universal Form. ›17 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रिणं च
तेजोराशिं सर्वतो दीप्तिमन्तम् |
पश्यामि त्वां दुर्निरीक्ष्यं समन्ताद्
दीप्तानलार्कद्युतिमप्रमेयम् ||११-१७|| 11.17 I behold You as a mass of light shining everywhere, with diadem, mace and discus, hard to behold, blazing like a burning fire and the sun, and immeasurable. ›18 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga त्वमक्षरं परमं वेदितव्यं
त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम् |
त्वमव्ययः शाश्वतधर्मगोप्ता
सनातनस्त्वं पुरुषो मतो मे ||११-१८|| 11.18 You are the Imperishable, Supreme One to be realised. You are the Supreme Substratum of this universe. You are immutable, the guardian of the eternal law, I know You are the Supreme Person who is everlasting. ›19 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga अनादिमध्यान्तमनन्तवीर्य-
मनन्तबाहुं शशिसूर्यनेत्रम् |
पश्यामि त्वां दीप्तहुताशवक्त्रं
स्वतेजसा विश्वमिदं तपन्तम् ||११-१९|| 11.19 I behold You as without beginning, middle and end. Your might is infinite. You are endowed with an endless number of arms. The sun and moon are Your eyes. Your mouth is emitting burning fire. With Your own radiance You are warning the whole universe. ›20 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga द्यावापृथिव्योरिदमन्तरं हि
व्याप्तं त्वयैकेन दिशश्च सर्वाः |
दृष्ट्वाद्भुतं रूपमुग्रं तवेदं
लोकत्रयं प्रव्यथितं महात्मन् ||११-२०|| 11.20 You alone have pervaded the interspace between heaven and earth, and all the arters. Beholding Your marvellous and terrible form, O Mahatman, the three worlds are greatly overwhelmed with fear. ›21 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga अमी हि त्वां सुरसङ्घा विशन्ति
केचिद्भीताः प्राञ्जलयो गृणन्ति |
स्वस्तीत्युक्त्वा महर्षिसिद्धसङ्घाः
स्तुवन्ति त्वां स्तुतिभिः पुष्कलाभिः ||११-२१|| 11.21 Verily into You the hosts of Devas enter. Some in fear extol You with clasped hands. Crying 'Hail' the bands of great seers and Siddhas praise You with meaningful hymns. ›22 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga रुद्रादित्या वसवो ये च साध्या
विश्वेऽश्विनौ मरुतश्चोष्मपाश्च |
गन्धर्वयक्षासुरसिद्धसङ्घा
वीक्षन्ते त्वां विस्मिताश्चैव सर्वे ||११-२२|| 11.22 The Rudras, the Adityas, the Vasus, the Sadhyas, the Visvas, the Asvins, the Maruts and the manes, and the hosts of Gandharvas, Yaksas, Asuras, and Siddhas - all gaze upon You in amazement. ›23 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं
महाबाहो बहुबाहूरुपादम् |
बहूदरं बहुदंष्ट्राकरालं
दृष्ट्वा लोकाः प्रव्यथितास्तथाहम् ||११-२३|| 11.23 Beholding Your great form with many mouths and eyes, with many arms, thights, and feet, witth many stomachs and terrible with many teeth, the worlds tremble, and I too ake, O mighty-armed. ›24 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga नभःस्पृशं दीप्तमनेकवर्णं
व्यात्ताननं दीप्तविशालनेत्रम् |
दृष्ट्वा हि त्वां प्रव्यथितान्तरात्मा
धृतिं न विन्दामि शमं च विष्णो ||११-२४|| 11.24 When I behold You touching the Supreme Heaven, shining, multicoloured, with yawning mouths and large resplendent eyes, my inner being trembles in fear. I am unable to find support or peace, O Visnu. ›25 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga दंष्ट्राकरालानि च ते मुखानि
दृष्ट्वैव कालानलसन्निभानि |
दिशो न जाने न लभे च शर्म
प्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास ||११-२५|| 11.25 Viewing Your mouths, presenting awe-generating fangs and looking like the consuming fire of final destruction, I know not the arters of the globe nor do I find repose. Be gracious, O Lord of the Devas! O Abode of the universe! ›26 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga अमी च त्वां धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राः
सर्वे सहैवावनिपालसङ्घैः |
भीष्मो द्रोणः सूतपुत्रस्तथासौ
सहास्मदीयैरपि योधमुख्यैः ||११-२६|| 11.26 All these sons of Dhrtarastra together with the hosts of monarchs, Bhisma, Drona and Karna along with the leading warriors of our side, ›27 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga वक्त्राणि ते त्वरमाणा विशन्ति
दंष्ट्राकरालानि भयानकानि |
केचिद्विलग्ना दशनान्तरेषु
सन्दृश्यन्ते चूर्णितैरुत्तमाङ्गैः ||११-२७|| 11.27 Hasten to enter Your fearful mouths with terrible fangs. Some, caught between the teeth are seen with their heads crushed to powder. ›28 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga यथा नदीनां बहवोऽम्बुवेगाः
समुद्रमेवाभिमुखा द्रवन्ति |
तथा तवामी नरलोकवीरा
विशन्ति वक्त्राण्यभिविज्वलन्ति ||११-२८|| 11.28 As many torrents of rivers flow towards the ocean, so do these heroes of the world of men enter Your flaming mouths. ›29 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गा
विशन्ति नाशाय समृद्धवेगाः |
तथैव नाशाय विशन्ति लोकास्-
तवापि वक्त्राणि समृद्धवेगाः ||११-२९|| 11.29 As moths rush swiftly into a blazing fire to their destruction, so do these men swiftly rush into Your mouths to meet their destruction. ›30 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga लेलिह्यसे ग्रसमानः समन्ताल्-
लोकान्समग्रान्वदनैर्ज्वलद्भिः |
तेजोभिरापूर्य जगत्समग्रं
भासस्तवोग्राः प्रतपन्ति विष्णो ||११-३०|| 11.30 Devouring all the worlds on every side with your flaming mouths, You lick them up. Your fiery rays, filling the whole universe with their radiance, scorch it, O Visnu. ›31 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपो
नमोऽस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद |
विज्ञातुमिच्छामि भवन्तमाद्यं
न हि प्रजानामि तव प्रवृत्तिम् ||११-३१|| 11.31 Tell me who You are with this terrible form? Salutation to You, O Supreme God. Be gracious. I desire to know You, the Primal One. I do not know Your activity. ›32 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga Essential श्रीभगवानुवाच |
कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो
लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः |
ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे
येऽवस्थिताः प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः ||११-३२|| 11.32 The Lord said I am the world-destroying Time. Manifesting Myself fully, I have begun to destroy the worlds here. Even without You, none of the warriors arrayed in the hostile ranks shall survive. ›33 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व
जित्वा शत्रून् भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम् |
मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव
निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन् ||११-३३|| 11.33 Therefore airse, win glory. Conering your foes, enjoy a prosperous kingdom. By Me they have been slain already. You be merely an instrument, O Arjuna, you great bowman! ›34 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga द्रोणं च भीष्मं च जयद्रथं च
कर्णं तथान्यानपि योधवीरान् |
मया हतांस्त्वं जहि मा व्यथिष्ठा
युध्यस्व जेतासि रणे सपत्नान् ||११-३४|| 11.34 Slay Drona, Bhisma, Jayadratha, Karna as well as other mighty warriors, who have been doomed by Me. Do not feel distressed. Fight, You shall coner your rivals in the battle. ›35 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga सञ्जय उवाच |
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं केशवस्य
कृताञ्जलिर्वेपमानः किरीटी |
नमस्कृत्वा भूय एवाह कृष्णं
सगद्गदं भीतभीतः प्रणम्य ||११-३५|| 11.35 Sanjaya said Having heard this speech of Krsna, Arjuna did Him obeisance; and trembling with awe, he bowed down again, and with folded palms, and trembling, he spoke to Krsna in a choked voice. ›36 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga अर्जुन उवाच |
स्थाने हृषीकेश तव प्रकीर्त्या
जगत्प्रहृष्यत्यनुरज्यते च |
रक्षांसि भीतानि दिशो द्रवन्ति
सर्वे नमस्यन्ति च सिद्धसङ्घाः ||११-३६|| 11.36 Arjuna said Rightly it is, O Krsna, that Your praise should move the world to joy and love. The Raksasas flee in fear on all sides, and all the hosts of Siddhas bow down to You. ›37 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga कस्माच्च ते न नमेरन्महात्मन्
गरीयसे ब्रह्मणोऽप्यादिकर्त्रे |
अनन्त देवेश जगन्निवास
त्वमक्षरं सदसत्तत्परं यत् ||११-३७|| 11.37 (a) And why should they not, O Mahatman, bow down to You who are great, being the first Creator, even of Brahma?
(b) O Infinite, Lord of gods, O You who have the universe for Your abode! You are the imperishable individual self, the existent and the non-existent, and that which is beyond both. ›38 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराणस्-
त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम् |
वेत्तासि वेद्यं च परं च धाम
त्वया ततं विश्वमनन्तरूप ||११-३८|| 11.38 (a) You are the Primal God and the Ancient Person. You are the Supreme resting place of the universe৷৷.
(b)৷৷.You are the knower and that which must be known, and the Supreme abode. By You, O infinite of form, is this universe pervaded. ›39 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga वायुर्यमोऽग्निर्वरुणः शशाङ्कः
प्रजापतिस्त्वं प्रपितामहश्च |
नमो नमस्तेऽस्तु सहस्रकृत्वः
पुनश्च भूयोऽपि नमो नमस्ते ||११-३९|| 11.39 (a) You are Yayu, Yama, Agini, Varuna, Sasanka, Prajapati and the great-grandsire৷৷.
(b) ৷৷. Hail, Hail unto You, a thousand times! Hail unto You again and yet again! ›40 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga नमः पुरस्तादथ पृष्ठतस्ते
नमोऽस्तु ते सर्वत एव सर्व |
अनन्तवीर्यामितविक्रमस्त्वं
सर्वं समाप्नोषि ततोऽसि सर्वः ||११-४०|| 11.40 (a) Salutation to You from before and behind! Salutation to You from all sides, O All!৷৷.
(b) ৷৷. O You of infinite prowess and heroic action which are measureless! You pervade all beings and therefore are all. ›41 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यदुक्तं
हे कृष्ण हे यादव हे सखेति |
अजानता महिमानं तवेदं
मया प्रमादात्प्रणयेन वापि ||११-४१|| 11.41 Unaware of this majesty of Yours, and either from negligence or love, or considering You to be a friend, whatever I have rudely said as 'O Krsna, O Yadava, O Comrade.' ›42 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसि
विहारशय्यासनभोजनेषु |
एकोऽथवाप्यच्युत तत्समक्षं
तत्क्षामये त्वामहमप्रमेयम् ||११-४२|| 11.42 And whatever disrespect has been shown to You in jest, while playing, resting, while sitting or eating, while alone or in the sight of others, O Acyuta - I implore You for forgiveness, You who are incomprehensible. ›43 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga पितासि लोकस्य चराचरस्य
त्वमस्य पूज्यश्च गुरुर्गरीयान् |
न त्वत्समोऽस्त्यभ्यधिकः कुतोऽन्यो
लोकत्रयेऽप्यप्रतिमप्रभाव ||११-४३|| 11.43 You are the father of this world, of all that moves and that does not move. You are its teacher and the one most worthy of reverence. There is none eal to You. How then could there be in the three worlds another greater than You, O Being of matchless greatness? ›44 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga तस्मात्प्रणम्य प्रणिधाय कायं
प्रसादये त्वामहमीशमीड्यम् |
पितेव पुत्रस्य सखेव सख्युः
प्रियः प्रियायार्हसि देव सोढुम् ||११-४४|| 11.44 Therefore, bowing down, prostrating the body. I implore Your mercy, O adorable Lord. As a father hears with his son or a friend with his friend, it is meet, O Lord, that You, who are dear to me, should bear with me who am dear to You. ›45 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga अदृष्टपूर्वं हृषितोऽस्मि दृष्ट्वा
भयेन च प्रव्यथितं मनो मे |
तदेव मे दर्शय देव रूपं
प्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास ||११-४५|| 11.45 Seeing what was never seen before, I am delighted. But my mind is also agog with awe. Show me, O Lord! Your other form. O Lord of the gods! Be gracious, O Abode of the universe! ›46 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रहस्तं
इच्छामि त्वां द्रष्टुमहं तथैव |
तेनैव रूपेण चतुर्भुजेन
सहस्रबाहो भव विश्वमूर्ते ||११-४६|| 11.46 I wish to see You ever as before, with crown and with mace and discus in hand. Assume again that four-armed shape, O Thou the thosand armed, of Universal Form! ›47 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga श्रीभगवानुवाच |
मया प्रसन्नेन तवार्जुनेदं
रूपं परं दर्शितमात्मयोगात् |
तेजोमयं विश्वमनन्तमाद्यं
यन्मे त्वदन्येन न दृष्टपूर्वम् ||११-४७|| 11.47 The Lord said By My grace, O Arjuna this Supreme Form, luminous, universal, infinite, primal, never seen before by anyone but you, has been revealed to you through My own free will. ›48 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानैर्-
न च क्रियाभिर्न तपोभिरुग्रैः |
एवंरूपः शक्य अहं नृलोके
द्रष्टुं त्वदन्येन कुरुप्रवीर ||११-४८|| 11.48 Neither through the study of the Vedas, nor by sacrifices, nor by recitals of the scriptures, nor by gifts, nor by rituals, nor by strict austerities can I be realised in a form like this in the world of men by any one else but you. O Arjuna! ›49 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो
दृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्ममेदम् |
व्यपेतभीः प्रीतमनाः पुनस्त्वं
तदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य ||११-४९|| 11.49 You need not fear any more, nor be perplexed, looking on this awesome form of Mine. Free from fear and with a gladdened heart, behold again that other form of Mine. ›50 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga सञ्जय उवाच |
इत्यर्जुनं वासुदेवस्तथोक्त्वा
स्वकं रूपं दर्शयामास भूयः |
आश्वासयामास च भीतमेनं
भूत्वा पुनः सौम्यवपुर्महात्मा ||११-५०|| 11.50 Sanjaya said Having spoken thus to Arjuna, Sri Krsna revealed to him once more His own form. The Mahatman, assuming again a benign form, reassured him who had been struck with awe. ›51 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga अर्जुन उवाच |
दृष्ट्वेदं मानुषं रूपं तव सौम्यं जनार्दन |
इदानीमस्मि संवृत्तः सचेताः प्रकृतिं गतः ||११-५१|| 11.51 Arjuna said Having behold the human and pleasing form of Yours, O Krsna, I have now become composed in mind and I am restored to my normal nature. ›52 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga श्रीभगवानुवाच |
सुदुर्दर्शमिदं रूपं दृष्टवानसि यन्मम |
देवा अप्यस्य रूपस्य नित्यं दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः ||११-५२|| 11.52 The Lord said It it very hard to behold this form of Mine which you have seen. Even the gods ever long to behold this form. ›53 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया |
शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा ||११-५३|| 11.53 Sri Krsna says Not by the Vedas, nor by austerities, nor by gifts, nor by sacirifce, can I seen in such a form as You have seen Me. ›54 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन |
ज्ञातुं द्रष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परन्तप ||११-५४|| 11.54 But by single-minded devotion, O Arjuna, it is possible to truly know, to see and to enter into Me, who am of this form, O harasser of foes. ›55 Vishwarupa Darsana Yoga मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः सङ्गवर्जितः |
निर्वैरः सर्वभूतेषु यः स मामेति पाण्डव ||११-५५|| 11.55 Whosoever works for Me, looks upon Me as the highest and is devoted to Me, free from attached and without enmity towards any creature, he comes to Me, O Arjuna. ›