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.
— Arjuna
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Bhagavad Gita · 11.20
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे महात्मन् यह स्वर्ग और पृथ्वीके बीचका अन्तराल और सम्पूर्ण दिशाएँ एक आपसे ही परिपूर्ण हैं । आपके इस अद्भुत और उग्ररूपको देखकर तीनों लोक व्यथित व्याकुल हो रहे हैं ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
द्यावापृथिव्योःof heaven and earthइदम्thisअन्तरम्intermediate spaceहिindeedव्याप्तम्pervadedत्वयाby Youएकेनaloneदिशःdirectionsचandसर्वाःallदृष्ट्वाhaving seenअद्भुतम्wondrousरूपम्formउग्रम्fierceतवYourइदम्thisलोकत्रयम्three worldsप्रव्यथितम्shakenमहात्मन्O great one
Read literallyof heaven and earth · this · intermediate space · indeed · pervaded · by You · alone · directions · and · all · having seen · wondrous · form · fierce · Your · this · three worlds · shaken · O great one
Understanding the verse
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Sky, earth and every direction are filled by Krishna, Arjuna says, and the three worlds tremble.
01
In plain words
What this verse means
Arjuna sees that Krishna fills every direction and every space. The sight of Krishna's vast and fierce form makes all three worlds tremble.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Arjuna is still staring at Krishna's cosmic form. He now sees that every direction and every space are filled by Krishna alone, and that this overwhelming vision has shaken the three worlds. The verse deepens the shock before the next wave of praise.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
Standing at the foot of a Himalayan glacier on a pilgrimage, a family falls silent. Arjuna's words describe a far larger version of that: everything in every direction filled, and the worlds trembling at the sight.
The takeaway
“Awe can undo the illusion of control in a single moment.”
Arjuna sees that Krishna fills every direction and every space. The sight of Krishna's vast and fierce form makes all three worlds tremble.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.20?
Arjuna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga" (The Universal Form).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 11.20?
Verse 20 sits in Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita — Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga, "The Universal Form". The chapter has 55 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 11.20 matter today?
Standing at the foot of a Himalayan glacier on a pilgrimage, a family falls silent. Arjuna's words describe a far larger version of that: everything in every direction filled, and the worlds trembling at the sight.
Sky, earth and every direction are filled by Krishna, Arjuna says, and the three worlds tremble.
What this verse means
Arjuna sees that Krishna fills every direction and every space. The sight of Krishna's vast and fierce form makes all three worlds tremble.
Context & commentary
Arjuna is still staring at Krishna's cosmic form. He now sees that every direction and every space are filled by Krishna alone, and that this overwhelming vision has shaken the three worlds. The verse deepens the shock before the next wave of praise.
What it looks like today
Standing at the foot of a Himalayan glacier on a pilgrimage, a family falls silent. Arjuna's words describe a far larger version of that: everything in every direction filled, and the worlds trembling at the sight.
“Awe can undo the illusion of control in a single moment.”
Explore related themes: arjuna (52 verses), cosmic form (25 verses), surrender (23 verses)