Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga

अर्जुन उवाच

Arjuna said: By hearing the supreme secret of spiritual knowledge which You have spoken out of compassion for me, my illusion has now been dispelled.

भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया |

O lotus-eyed one, I have heard from You in detail about the origin and dissolution of all living beings, and also of Your imperishable glory.

एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर |

O Supreme Lord, as You have described Yourself, O Supreme Person, I wish to see Your divine majestic form.

मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो |

O Lord! O master of all mystic power! If You think it possible for me to behold it, then kindly reveal to me Your imperishable, eternal Self.

श्रीभगवानुवाच

The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, son of Pritha! Behold now My divine opulences — hundreds and thousands of varied forms, in many different colors and shapes.

पश्यादित्यान्वसून्रुद्रानश्विनौ मरुतस्तथा |

Behold the twelve Adityas, the eight Vasus, the eleven Rudras, the two Ashvini-kumaras, and the forty-nine Maruts. Behold, O Arjuna, many wonders never seen before!

इहैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम् |

O Arjuna, whatever you wish to see — behold now the entire universe with all its moving and non-moving beings, here in My single body, along with anything else you desire to see.

न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा |

But you cannot see Me with your present eyes. Therefore I give you divine eyes — behold My mystic opulence!

संजय उवाच |

Sanjaya said: O King, having spoken thus, the Supreme Lord of all mystic power, Hari, then revealed to Arjuna His supreme divine form.

अनेकवक्त्रनयनमनेकाद्भुतदर्शनम् |

Arjuna saw in that universal form — many mouths, many eyes, many wondrous sights, adorned with many divine ornaments, and bearing many divine weapons raised and ready.

दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरं दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनम् |

He wore divine garlands and garments, was anointed with divine fragrances, was full of all wonders — the resplendent Lord, infinite, with faces on every side.

दिवि सूर्यसहस्रस्य भवेद्युगपदुत्थिता |

If a thousand suns were to rise simultaneously in the sky, their combined radiance might perhaps resemble the effulgence of that Supreme Being.

तत्रैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं प्रविभक्तमनेकधा |

At that time, Arjuna could see the entire universe — divided into many parts yet standing together as one — in the body of the God of gods.

ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो हृष्टरोमा धनञ्जयः |

Then, overwhelmed with wonder, his hair standing on end, Arjuna bowed his head before the Lord, joined his palms, and began to speak.

अर्जुन उवाच |

Arjuna said: O Lord, I see in Your body all the gods and all varieties of living beings gathered together — Lord Brahma seated on his lotus throne, Lord Shiva, all the sages, and all the divine serpents.

अनेकबाहूदरवक्त्रनेत्रं

O Lord of the universe, O Universal Form! I see You with many arms, bellies, mouths, and eyes — Your infinite form extending in every direction. I can see no end, no middle, and no beginning in You.

किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रिणं च

I see You — wearing a crown, bearing a mace and disc — a mass of radiance, shining in every direction, blazing like fire and sun, difficult to look at, and immeasurable on all sides.

त्वमक्षरं परमं वेदितव्यं

You are the supreme imperishable, the ultimate object of knowledge. You are the supreme resting place of this entire universe. You are the inexhaustible guardian of eternal dharma. You are the eternal Supreme Person — this is my understanding.

अनादिमध्यान्तमनन्तवीर्य-

You are without beginning, middle, or end. Your power is infinite. Your arms are countless. The sun and moon are Your eyes. I see blazing fire emanating from Your mouth, and by Your own radiance You are scorching this entire universe.

द्यावापृथिव्योरिदमन्तरं हि

The space between heaven and earth and all the directions are pervaded by You alone. O great soul, seeing this wonderful yet terrible form of Yours, the three worlds tremble with fear.

अमी हि त्वां सुरसङ्घा विशन्ति

All the hosts of gods are surrendering and entering into You. Some of them, very much afraid, are offering prayers with folded hands. Hosts of great sages and perfected beings, crying 'All peace!' are praising You with Vedic hymns.

रुद्रादित्या वसवो ये च साध्या

The Rudras, Adityas, Vasus, Sadhyas, Vishvedevas, the twin Ashvins, Maruts, ancestors, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Asuras, and Siddhas — all are gazing upon You in astonishment.

रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं

O great-armed one, seeing Your great form with its many mouths and eyes, its many arms, thighs, and feet, its many bellies, and its many terrible tusks — all the worlds are trembling with fear, and so am I.

नभःस्पृशं दीप्तमनेकवर्णं

O Vishnu! Seeing You touching the sky, blazing with many colors, with mouths wide open and large radiant eyes — my inner self trembles. I find neither courage nor peace.

दंष्ट्राकरालानि च ते मुखानि

Seeing Your mouths with their terrible tusks, blazing like the fire of cosmic dissolution — I lose my sense of direction and find no peace. Have mercy, O Lord of the gods, O refuge of the universe!

अमी च त्वां धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राः

All the sons of Dhritarashtra, together with the hosts of warrior kings — Bhishma, Drona, Karna — and also the chief warriors on our own side...

वक्त्राणि ते त्वरमाणा विशन्ति

...they rush swiftly into Your terrible, fearful mouths. Some can be seen caught between Your teeth, their heads crushed to powder.

यथा नदीनां बहवोऽम्बुवेगाः

As the many torrents of rivers flow toward the ocean, so do all these heroes of the human world enter into Your blazing mouths.

यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गा

As moths rush with great speed into a blazing fire for their destruction, so do all these people rush with full speed into Your mouths for their destruction.

लेलिह्यसे ग्रसमानः समन्ता-

You are licking up and devouring all people from all sides with Your flaming mouths. O Vishnu! Your fierce rays fill the entire universe with radiance and scorch it.

आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपो

Tell me who You are in this fierce form. I bow before You, O best among the gods — have mercy! I wish to understand You, the primeval Lord, for I do not know Your purpose.

कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो

I am mighty Time, the destroyer of worlds, here to annihilate all people. Even without your participation, the warriors arrayed in the opposing armies shall cease to exist.

तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व

Therefore arise and attain glory. Conquer your enemies and enjoy a flourishing kingdom. They are already slain by Me — be merely an instrument, O Savyasachi!

द्रोणं च भीष्मं च जयद्रथं च

Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna, and all the other great warriors — already slain by Me. Kill them! Do not be disturbed. Simply fight, and you shall conquer your enemies in battle.

सञ्जय उवाच |

Sanjaya said: Having heard these words from Krishna, the crowned Arjuna, trembling and with folded hands, offered obeisances again and again. Then, bowing down and with a faltering voice, very much frightened, he spoke to Krishna.

अर्जुन उवाच |

Arjuna said: O Hrishikesha, it is right that the world delights and rejoices in glorifying You. The demons flee in fear in all directions, and all the hosts of perfected beings bow down to You.

कस्माच्च ते न नमेरन्महात्मन्

O great soul, why should they not bow to You — the original creator, greater even than Brahma? O infinite one, O Lord of lords, O refuge of the universe, You are the imperishable, the cause and the effect, and that which is beyond both.

त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराण-

You are the original God, the most ancient Person, the supreme sanctuary of this universe. You are the knower, the knowable, and the supreme abode. By You this entire universe is pervaded, O infinite form!

वायुर्यमोऽग्निर्वरुणः शशाङ्कः

You are Vayu, Yama, Agni, Varuna, the moon, Brahma the lord of creatures, and the great-grandfather of all. Salutations to You a thousand times, and again and again salutations to You!

नमः पुरस्तादथ पृष्ठतस्ते

Salutations to You from the front, from behind, and from all sides! O infinite power, O immeasurable valor — You pervade all, and therefore You are all!

सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यदुक्तं

Thinking of You as my friend, I rashly addressed You 'O Krishna,' 'O Yadava,' 'O my friend' — not knowing Your greatness. This was done by me out of foolishness or out of love.

यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसि

In whatever way I may have dishonored You in jest — while relaxing, lying down, sitting, or eating together, whether alone or in the company of others — O infallible Achyuta, I beg Your forgiveness, O immeasurable one.

पितासि लोकस्य चराचरस्य

You are the father of this entire world — of all that moves and does not move. You are the greatest guru, supremely worshipable. No one is equal to You — how then could anyone surpass You in all the three worlds, O Lord of incomparable power?

तस्मात्प्रणम्य प्रणिधाय कायं

Therefore, bowing and prostrating my body before You, I beg Your grace, O praiseworthy Lord. As a father tolerates a son, as a friend forgives a friend, as a lover bears with the beloved — please be merciful to me, O Lord.

अदृष्टपूर्वं हृषितोऽस्मि दृष्ट्वा

Seeing this form never seen before, I am gladdened, yet my mind trembles with fear. Please show me that gentle form again, O Lord. Be gracious, O Lord of lords, O refuge of the universe!

किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रहस्त-

I wish to see You with crown, mace, and disc in hand. Please assume that four-armed form, O thousand-armed one, O universal form!

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, being pleased with you, I have shown you by My own mystic power this supreme, effulgent, universal, infinite, and original form — which no one before you has ever seen.

न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानै-

Neither by study of the Vedas, nor by sacrifices, nor by charity, nor by rituals, nor by severe austerities can I be seen in this form in the world of men — by anyone other than you, O best of the Kuru warriors.

मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो

Do not be disturbed or bewildered by seeing this terrible form of Mine. Be free from fear and with a pleased heart, behold again My gentle form.

सञ्जय उवाच |

Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus to Arjuna, Krishna displayed His own form again. The great soul reassumed His gentle, beautiful form and thus reassured the frightened Arjuna.

अर्जुन उवाच |

Arjuna said: Seeing this gentle human form of Yours, O Janardana, I am now composed, my mind is restored, and I have returned to my own nature.

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

The Supreme Lord said: This form of Mine that you have seen is very difficult to behold. Even the demigods are ever longing to see this form.

नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया |

Neither by the Vedas, nor by austerity, nor by charity, nor by worship can I be seen as you have seen Me.

भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन |

But only by undivided devotional service can I be known, seen in truth, and entered into, O Arjuna, O scorcher of foes.

मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः सङ्गवर्जितः |

One who acts for Me, who considers Me the supreme goal, who is My devotee, who is free from attachment, and who bears no enmity toward any living being — such a person comes to Me, O Pandava.