Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
Arjuna asks to see. Krishna shows him. The universal form: terrifying, vast, the cosmos with its mouths open. The Gita's most overwhelming chapter.
All 55 verses of this chapter on one page. Read straight through, or press play and follow each verse as it is recited.
अर्जुन उवाच मदनुग्रहाय परमं गुह्यमध्यात्मसंज्ञितम् । यत्त्वयोक्तं वचस्तेन मोहोऽयं विगतो मम ॥
Arjuna said: By the gracious words you spoke for my benefit alone, my delusion has been dispelled.
भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया । त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम् ॥
O lotus-eyed one, I have heard from You in detail about the arising and passing away of all beings, and also about Your imperishable majesty.
एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर । द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम ॥
O Supreme Person, everything you have said about yourself is true. Yet I wish to see your divine form.
मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो । योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयाऽत्मानमव्ययम् ॥
If you think I can see that form, Lord, then show me your imperishable self, Master of yoga.
श्री भगवानुवाच पश्य मे पार्थ रूपाणि शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः । नानाविधानि दिव्यानि नानावर्णाकृतीनि च ॥
The Blessed Lord said: See, Partha, my forms in hundreds and thousands, diverse, divine, and of many colors and shapes.
पश्यादित्यान्वसून्रुद्रानश्विनौ मरुतस्तथा । बहून्यदृष्टपूर्वाणि पश्याऽश्चर्याणि भारत ॥
See the twelve Adityas, the eight Vasus, the eleven Rudras, the two Ashvins, and the forty-nine Maruts. See many wonders never seen before, O Bharata.
इहैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम् । मम देहे गुडाकेश यच्चान्यद्द्रष्टुमिच्छसि ॥
Behold the entire universe, with all that moves and does not move, gathered here in one place in My body. See whatever else you wish to see as well.
न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा । दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षुः पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् ॥
You cannot see me with these ordinary eyes. I give you divine sight, so you may behold my supreme power.
सञ्जय उवाच एवमुक्त्वा ततो राजन्महायोगेश्वरो हरिः । दर्शयामास पार्थाय परमं रूपमैश्वरम् ॥
Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus, O King, the great lord of yoga, Hari, revealed to Arjuna the supreme divine form.
अनेकवक्त्रनयनमनेकाद्भुतदर्शनम् । अनेकदिव्याभरणं दिव्यानेकोद्यतायुधम् ॥
With many mouths and eyes, with countless wondrous forms, adorned with many divine ornaments and many uplifted divine weapons.
दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरं दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनम् । सर्वाश्चर्यमयं देवमनन्तं विश्वतोमुखम् ॥
Wearing divine garlands and garments, anointed with divine fragrances, wondrous in every way, endless, and facing everywhere.
दिवि सूर्यसहस्रस्य भवेद्युगपदुत्थिता । यदि भाः सदृशी सा स्याद्भासस्तस्य महात्मनः ॥
If a thousand suns rose together in the sky, their light would still barely match that great being's radiance.
तत्रैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं प्रविभक्तमनेकधा । अपश्यद्देवदेवस्य शरीरे पाण्डवस्तदा ॥
There Arjuna saw the entire universe gathered in one place, divided in countless ways within the body of the Lord of the gods.
ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो हृष्टरोमा धनञ्जयः । प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं कृताञ्जलिरभाषत ॥
Then, overwhelmed with wonder, Arjuna’s hair stood on end. He bowed his head to the divine and spoke with folded hands.
अर्जुन उवाच पश्यामि देवांस्तव देव देहेसर्वांस्तथा भूतविशेषसङ्घान् । ब्रह्माणमीशं कमलासनस्थमृषींश्च सर्वानुरगांश्च दिव्यान् ॥
Arjuna said: O divine one, I see all the gods in your body, and all kinds of distinct beings, Brahma seated on the lotus, Shiva, all the sages, and all the radiant serpents.
अनेकबाहूदरवक्त्रनेत्रंपश्यामि त्वां सर्वतोऽनन्तरूपम् । नान्तं न मध्यं न पुनस्तवादिंपश्यामि विश्वेश्वर विश्वरूप ॥
I see You with many arms, bellies, mouths, and eyes, everywhere without end. I see no beginning, middle, or end of You, O Lord of all, O cosmic form.
किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रिणं चतेजोराशिं सर्वतोदीप्तिमन्तम् । पश्यामि त्वां दुर्निरीक्ष्यं समन्ताद्दीप्तानलार्कद्युतिमप्रमेयम् ॥
I see you wearing a crown, holding a mace and discus, blazing everywhere, hard to behold, and immeasurable — like fire and the sun in brilliance.
त्वमक्षरं परमं वेदितव्यंत्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम् । त्वमव्ययः शाश्वतधर्मगोप्तासनातनस्त्वं पुरुषो मतो मे ॥
You are the imperishable supreme reality, the highest support of this world, the guardian of eternal dharma, and the eternal person.
अनादिमध्यान्तमनन्तवीर्यमनन्तबाहुं शशिसूर्यनेत्रम् । पश्यामि त्वां दीप्तहुताशवक्त्रम्स्वतेजसा विश्वमिदं तपन्तम् ॥
I see you as beginningless, middleless, and endless; of infinite power, with infinite arms, with eyes like the moon and the sun, with mouths blazing like fire, and scorching this world with your own radiance.
द्यावापृथिव्योरिदमन्तरं हिव्याप्तं त्वयैकेन दिशश्च सर्वाः । दृष्ट्वाऽद्भुतं रूपमुग्रं तवेदंलोकत्रयं प्रव्यथितं महात्मन् ॥
The space between heaven and earth and all directions are filled by You alone. Seeing Your wondrous and fierce form, the three worlds tremble, O great one.
अमी हि त्वां सुरसङ्घाः विशन्तिकेचिद्भीताः प्राञ्जलयो गृणन्ति । स्वस्तीत्युक्त्वा महर्षिसिद्धसङ्घाःस्तुवन्ति त्वां स्तुतिभिः पुष्कलाभिः ॥
The hosts of the radiant beings enter into you. Some, frightened, join their palms and sing your names and qualities. Great seers and perfected beings praise you with abundant hymns, saying, “May all be well.”
रुद्रादित्या वसवो ये च साध्याविश्वेऽश्विनौ मरुतश्चोष्मपाश्च । गन्धर्वयक्षासुरसिद्धसङ्घावीक्षन्ते त्वां विस्मिताश्चैव सर्वे ॥
The eleven Rudras, the twelve Adityas, the eight Vasus, the twelve Sadhyas, the Visvedevas, the two Ashvins, the forty-nine Maruts, the ancestors, and the hosts of Gandharvas, Yakshas, Asuras, and Siddhas all gaze at you in wonder.
रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रंमहाबाहो बहुबाहूरुपादम् । बहूदरं बहुदंष्ट्राकरालंदृष्ट्वा लोकाः प्रव्यथितास्तथाऽहम् ॥
O mighty-armed one, seeing your great form with many mouths and eyes, many arms, thighs, and feet, many bellies, and terrible fangs, all beings are shaken, and so am I.
नभःस्पृशं दीप्तमनेकवर्णंव्यात्ताननं दीप्तविशालनेत्रम् । दृष्ट्वा हि त्वां प्रव्यथितान्तरात्माधृतिं न विन्दामि शमं च विष्णो ॥
O Vishnu, seeing you touching the sky, blazing with many colors, with mouths spread wide and bright, vast eyes, my inner being is shaken. I cannot find steadiness or peace.
दंष्ट्राकरालानि च ते मुखानिदृष्ट्वैव कालानलसन्निभानि । दिशो न जाने न लभे च शर्मप्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास ॥
Seeing your flaming, terrible mouths with their fangs, I can no longer find directions or peace. Be gracious, Lord of the divine beings, dwelling place of the world.
अमी च त्वां धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राःसर्वे सहैवावनिपालसङ्घैः । भीष्मो द्रोणः सूतपुत्रस्तथाऽसौसहास्मदीयैरपि योधमुख्यैः ॥
Bhishma, Drona, Karna, and all the sons of Dhritarashtra, along with the hosts of kings and our own chief warriors, are rushing into your fearful mouths. Some are seen caught between your teeth, with crushed heads.
वक्त्राणि ते त्वरमाणा विशन्तिदंष्ट्राकरालानि भयानकानि । केचिद्विलग्ना दशनान्तरेषुसंदृश्यन्ते चूर्णितैरुत्तमाङ्गैः ॥
Your blazing, terrible mouths swallow them in haste. Some are seen caught between your teeth, with crushed heads.
यथा नदीनां बहवोऽम्बुवेगाःसमुद्रमेवाभिमुखाः द्रवन्ति । तथा तवामी नरलोकवीराविशन्ति वक्त्राण्यभिविज्वलन्ति ॥
As many streams of water rush naturally toward the sea, so these great warriors of the world enter your blazing mouths.
यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गाविशन्ति नाशाय समृद्धवेगाः । तथैव नाशाय विशन्ति लोकास्तवापि वक्त्राणि समृद्धवेगाः ॥
As moths rush with great speed into a blazing fire to their destruction, so these people rush with great speed into your mouths to their destruction.
लेलिह्यसे ग्रसमानः समन्ताल्लोकान्समग्रान्वदनैर्ज्वलद्भिः । तेजोभिरापूर्य जगत्समग्रंभासस्तवोग्राः प्रतपन्ति विष्णो ॥
You lick up all the worlds from every side with your blazing mouths. Your fierce radiance fills the whole universe and burns it, O Vishnu.
आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपोनमोऽस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद । विज्ञातुमिच्छामि भवन्तमाद्यंन हि प्रजानामि तव प्रवृत्तिम् ॥
Tell me who You are in this fierce form. Salutations to You, best of the radiant beings; be gracious. I wish to know You, the primal one, for I do not understand Your purpose.
श्री भगवानुवाच कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धोलोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः । ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वेयेऽवस्थिताः प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः ॥
The Blessed Lord said: I am Time, the great destroyer of worlds, here to end all beings. Even without you, the warriors standing in the opposing ranks will not survive.
तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्वजित्वा शत्रून् भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम् । मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेवनिमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन् ॥
Therefore, rise and win fame. Conquer your enemies and enjoy a prosperous kingdom. They have already been slain by me; become only the instrument, Arjuna.
द्रोणं च भीष्मं च जयद्रथं चकर्णं तथाऽन्यानपि योधवीरान् । मया हतांस्त्वं जहि मा व्यथिष्ठायुध्यस्व जेतासि रणे सपत्नान् ॥
Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna, and the other great warriors have already been slain by Me. Do not falter; fight, and you will surely conquer your enemies in battle.
सञ्जय उवाच एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं केशवस्यकृताञ्जलिर्वेपमानः किरीटी । नमस्कृत्वा भूय एवाह कृष्णंसगद्गदं भीतभीतः प्रणम्य ॥
Sanjaya said: Hearing Krishna's words, Arjuna trembled, folded his hands, bowed again and again, and spoke to Krishna in a choked voice, filled with fear.
अर्जुन उवाच स्थाने हृषीकेश तव प्रकीर्त्याजगत् प्रहृष्यत्यनुरज्यते च । रक्षांसि भीतानि दिशो द्रवन्तिसर्वे नमस्यन्ति च सिद्धसङ्घाः ॥
Arjuna said: O Hrishikesha, by chanting Your names and glories, the whole world rejoices and becomes devoted. By that chanting, frightened beings flee in all directions, and all the perfected ones bow to You. This is only fitting.
कस्माच्च ते न नमेरन्महात्मन्गरीयसे ब्रह्मणोऽप्यादिकर्त्रे । अनन्त देवेश जगन्निवासत्वमक्षरं सदसत्तत्परं यत् ॥
O great one, why would the perfected beings not bow to you, the greatest teacher, the first maker even of Brahma? Endless Lord of radiant beings, abode of the world, you are the imperishable, the real and the unreal, and beyond both.
त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराणस्त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम् । वेत्तासि वेद्यं च परं च धामत्वया ततं विश्वमनन्तरूप ॥
You are the first divine presence, the ancient person, the supreme refuge of this universe. You are the knower, the knowable, and the highest abode. O infinite one, the whole world is pervaded by you.
वायुर्यमोऽग्निर्वरुणः शशाङ्कःप्रजापतिस्त्वं प्रपितामहश्च । नमो नमस्तेऽस्तु सहस्रकृत्वःपुनश्च भूयोऽपि नमो नमस्ते ॥
You are air, Yama, fire, Varuna, the moon, Prajapati, and the great ancestor. I bow to you a thousand times, and again and again.
नमः पुरस्तादथ पृष्ठतस्तेनमोऽस्तु ते सर्वत एव सर्व । अनन्तवीर्यामितविक्रमस्त्वंसर्वं समाप्नोषि ततोऽसि सर्वः ॥
Salutations to you from the front, from behind, and from every side. You are endless power and immeasurable might; you pervade all and therefore are all.
सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यदुक्तंहे कृष्ण हे यादव हे सखेति । अजानता महिमानं तवेदंमया प्रमादात्प्रणयेन वापि ॥
Thinking of you as a friend, I addressed you carelessly: “O Krishna, O Yadava, O friend.” Not knowing your greatness, I spoke in negligence or affection. I ask forgiveness from your immeasurable form for every disrespect I showed in laughter, play, walking, sleeping, sitting, eating, alone or before companions and relatives.
यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसिविहारशय्यासनभोजनेषु । एकोऽथवाप्यच्युत तत्समक्षंतत्क्षामये त्वामहमप्रमेयम् ॥
Whatever disrespect I showed you in jest, while walking, resting, sitting, eating, alone or before others, I ask your immeasurable forgiveness.
पितासि लोकस्य चराचरस्यत्वमस्य पूज्यश्च गुरुर्गरीयान् । न त्वत्समोऽस्त्यभ्यधिकः कुतोऽन्योलोकत्रयेऽप्यप्रतिमप्रभाव ॥
You are the father of all moving and unmoving beings, the highest object of reverence, and the greatest teacher. In the three worlds, no one equals you, much less surpasses you.
तस्मात्प्रणम्य प्रणिधाय कायंप्रसादये त्वामहमीशमीड्यम् । पितेव पुत्रस्य सखेव सख्युःप्रियः प्रियायार्हसि देव सोढुम् ॥
Therefore, bowing down my body, I seek to please You, the worthy Lord of praise. Like a father bearing a son’s fault, a friend bearing a friend’s, or a lover bearing a beloved’s, You should forgive what I have done.
अदृष्टपूर्वं हृषितोऽस्मि दृष्ट्वाभयेन च प्रव्यथितं मनो मे । तदेव मे दर्शय देव रूपंप्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास ॥
I have never seen this form before. Seeing it, I am filled with joy, yet my mind is troubled by fear. Show me again your gentle divine form; be pleased, O Lord of lords, O dwelling of the world.
किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रहस्तमिच्छामि त्वां द्रष्टुमहं तथैव । तेनैव रूपेण चतुर्भुजेनसहस्रबाहो भव विश्वमूर्ते ॥
I want to see you again in your crowned form, with mace and discus in your hands. O Thousand-Armed One, O Universal Form, return to that four-armed shape.
श्री भगवानुवाच मया प्रसन्नेन तवार्जुनेदंरूपं परं दर्शितमात्मयोगात् । तेजोमयं विश्वमनन्तमाद्यंयन्मे त्वदन्येन न दृष्टपूर्वम् ॥
Krishna said: O Arjuna, I have shown you this supreme, radiant, endless, original form through my grace. No one except you has seen it before.
न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानैर्न च क्रियाभिर्न तपोभिरुग्रैः । एवंरूपः शक्य अहं नृलोकेद्रष्टुं त्वदन्येन कुरुप्रवीर ॥
I cannot be seen in this form in the human world by study of the Vedas, sacrifice, charity, severe austerity, or ritual acts—except by you, Arjuna.
मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावोदृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्ममेदम् । व्यपेतभीः प्रीतमनाः पुनस्त्वंतदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य ॥
Do not be distressed or confused by this fierce form of mine. Free from fear and calm-minded, look again upon this very form of mine.
सञ्जय उवाच इत्यर्जुनं वासुदेवस्तथोक्त्वास्वकं रूपं दर्शयामास भूयः । आश्वासयामास च भीतमेनंभूत्वा पुनः सौम्यवपुर्महात्मा ॥
Sanjaya said: After speaking thus to Arjuna, Vasudeva revealed his own form again. The great one then reassured the frightened Arjuna, taking once more a gentle form.
अर्जुन उवाच दृष्ट्वेदं मानुषं रूपं तवसौम्यं जनार्दन । इदानीमस्मि संवृत्तः सचेताः प्रकृतिं गतः ॥
Arjuna said: Seeing your gentle human form, Janardana, I am calm again and restored to my natural state.
श्री भगवानुवाच सुदुर्दर्शमिदं रूपं दृष्टवानसि यन्मम । देवा अप्यस्य रूपस्य नित्यं दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः ॥
Krishna said: The form you have seen is very hard to behold. Even the radiant beings long forever to see it.
नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया । शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा ॥
I cannot be seen in this form through the Vedas, austerity, charity, or sacrifice, as you have seen me.
भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्यमहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन । ज्ञातुं दृष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परंतप ॥
But only through undivided devotion can I be truly known, seen, and entered, Arjuna.
मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः सङ्गवर्जितः । निर्वैरः सर्वभूतेषु यः स मामेति पाण्डव ॥
O Pandava, the devotee who works for Me alone, takes Me as the highest goal, is devoted to Me, is free from attachment, and bears no enmity toward any being, comes to Me.