Gita Gita-11 God Power

BG 11.09-14: Sanjaya’s depiction of the universal form

Written by divinemind

Sanjaya begins his narration of the universal form based on what he is able to see. The Supreme Lord of all mystic power (mahā-yogeśvaro), Lord Hari (hariḥ), shows (darśayām āsa) His supreme form of opulence (paramaṁ rūpam aiśvaram) to Arjuna (pārthāya). (BG 11.9) In the previous section, Arjuna was given divine eyes to behold the universal form. Sanjaya now describes what Arjuna is seeing with the gifted divine eyes.

Many mouths and eyes (aneka-vaktra-nayanam), many wonderful visions (anekādbhuta-darśanam), many divine ornaments (aneka-divyābharaṇaṁ) and many divine (divya) upraised weapons (anekodyatāyudham)! (BG 11.10) He wore divine garlands and garments (divya-mālyāmbara-dharaṁ) with many divine scents smeared all over (divya-gandhānulepanam). All was wondrous (sarvāścarya-mayaṁ), godly (devam), unlimited (anantaṁ), and facing everywhere (viśvato-mukham). (BG 11.11)

If (yadi) a thousand suns (sūrya-sahasrasya) were to rise at once (bhaved yugapad utthitā) in the sky (divi), that radiance (bhāḥ) might resemble (sadṛśī sā syād) the effulgence (bhāsas) of that (tasya) Great Soul (mahātmanaḥ). (BG 11.12) At that time (tadā), there (tatra), Arjuna (pāṇḍavas) could see (apaśyad) the entire universe (jagat kṛtsnaṁ) in one place (eka-sthaṁ) in the body (śarīre) of the God of all gods (deva-devasya), yet variously divided (pravibhaktam anekadhā). (BG 11.13)

Thereafter, Arjuna (dhanañ-jayaḥ), overwhelmed with wonder (vismayāviṣṭo), with his hair standing on end (hṛṣṭa-romā), bowing his head (praṇamya śirasā) to Lord Krishna (devaṁ) and with folded hands (kṛtāñjalir), begins to speak (abhāṣata) prayerfully. (BG 11.14)