After seeing (dṛṣṭvā) the universal form, which he has never seen before (adṛṣṭa-pūrvaṁ), Arjuna is gladdened (hṛṣito ’smi), but at the same time, his mind (mano me) is disturbed (pravyathitaṁ) with fear (bhayena ca). Therefore, Arjuna begs for Krishna’s grace (prasīda) and requests Krishna, the God of Gods (deveśa) and abode of the universe (jagan-nivāsa), to show (darśaya) again to him (me) that form alone (tad eva) as the Personality of Godhead (deva rūpaṁ). (BG 11.45) Referring to the universal form (viśva-mūrte) as the thousand-armed Lord (sahasra-bāho), Arjuna (ahaṁ) expresses his longing (icchāmi) to see (draṣṭum tathaiva) Krishna (tvāṁ) in His four-armed form (tenaiva rūpeṇa catur-bhujena), with the helmeted head (kirīṭinaṁ) and with the club (gadinaṁ), and lotus flower in His hands (cakra-hastam). (BG 11.46)
Krishna first glorifies the universal form that He revealed before Arjuna. Krishna tells Arjuna that being pleased with Arjuna (mayā prasannena tava), by His internal potency (ātma-yogāt), Krishna showed (darśitam) this supreme universal (viśvam) form (rūpaṁ paraṁ) within the material world. No one before Arjuna has ever seen this (yan me tvad anyena na dṛṣṭa-pūrvam) primeval form (ādyaṁ), which is unlimited (anantam) and full of glaring effulgence (tejo-mayaṁ). (BG 11.47) Neither by performing sacrifices (veda-yajña) or by studying the Vedas (adhyayanair), nor by charity (na dānair), nor by observing religious rites (na ca kriyābhir), nor by severe penances (na tapobhir ugraiḥ) can (śakya) Krishna (ahaṁ) be seen (draṣṭuṁ) in this cosmic form (evaṁ-rūpaḥ) by anyone else (tvad anyena) in the material world (nṛ-loke). (BG 11.48)
Krishna suggests Arjuna not to be perturbed (mā te vyathā) and bewildered (mā ca vimūḍha-bhāvo) by seeing (dṛṣṭvā) this (idam) horrible (ghoram) universal form (rūpaṁ) of Krishna (īdṛṅ mama). With fear eradicated (vyapeta-bhīḥ) and with a pacified mind (prīta-manāḥ), Arjuna is invited to again (punas tvaṁ) see (prapaśya) this (idaṁ) form (rūpam) of Krishna alone (tad eva me). (BG 11.49) The Supreme Personality of Godhead (mahātmā), Krishna (vāsudevas) having thus spoken to Arjuna (ity arjunaṁ tathoktvā) and calming (āśvāsayām āsa ca) the fearful Arjuna (bhītam enaṁ), displays (darśayām āsa) again (bhūyaḥ) His very own form (svakaṁ rūpaṁ) and then assumes again (bhūtvā punaḥ) His beautiful sublime body (saumya-vapur). (BG 11.50) Krishna’s very own form (svakaṁ rūpaṁ) refers to the four-handed form and His beautiful sublime body (saumya-vapur) is the two-handed form. In other words, the four-handed Vishnu form belongs to Krishna, while Krishna’s body is originally two-handed.
