Visvarupa Darsana Yoga

अर्जुन उवाच |

Arjuna said: Out of compassion for me, You have spoken these words concerning the supreme, confidential spiritual science (Adhyatma). By this, my delusion is now completely dispelled.

भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया |

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

एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर |

As You have declared Yourself to be, O Supreme Lord, even so it is. Yet, I desire to see Your sovereign, divine form, O Supreme Person.

मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो |

If You think it is possible for me to see it, O Lord, then, O Master of Yoga, please reveal to me Your imperishable, cosmic Self.

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

The Supreme Lord said: Behold, O Partha, My forms by the hundreds and thousands, of various kinds, divine, and of diverse colors and shapes.

पश्यादित्यान्वसून्रुद्रानश्विनौ मरुतस्तथा |

Behold the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Ashvins, and also the Maruts. Behold, O Bharata, many wonders never seen before.

इहैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम् |

Behold today, O Gudakesha, the entire universe with all its moving and non-moving entities, gathered here in one place within My body, and whatever else you desire to see.

न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा |

But you cannot see Me with these physical eyes of yours. Therefore, I bestow upon you divine vision. Behold My sovereign, yogic power!

सञ्जय उवाच |

Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus, O King, the great Master of Yoga, Hari (Krishna), then revealed to Partha His supreme, sovereign, divine form.

अनेकवक्त्रनयनमनेकाद्भुतदर्शनम् |

With infinite mouths and eyes, displaying countless wonderful sights, adorned with many divine ornaments, and brandishing many raised weapons...

दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरं दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनम् |

Wearing celestial garlands and garments, anointed with divine fragrances, all-wonderful, resplendent, infinite, and facing in all directions.

दिवि सूर्यसहस्रस्य भवेद्युगपदुत्थिता |

If the splendor of a thousand suns were to blaze forth all at once in the sky, that would resemble the splendor of that Supreme Soul.

तत्रैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं प्रविभक्तमनेकधा |

There, in one place, within the body of the God of gods, Arjuna beheld the entire universe divided into many parts.

ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो हृष्टरोमा धनञ्जयः |

Then, filled with wonder, his hair standing on end, Dhananjaya (Arjuna) bowed his head to the Lord and, with folded hands, began to speak.

अर्जुन उवाच |

Arjuna said: O Lord, I see all the gods in Your body, and also multitudes of diverse living entities. I see Brahma, the creator, seated on his lotus throne, Shiva, the sages, and all the celestial serpents.

अनेकबाहूदरवक्त्रनेत्रं

I see You with infinite arms, bellies, mouths, and eyes, possessing an infinite form on all sides. O Lord of the universe, O Cosmic Form, I see no end, no middle, and no beginning to Your presence.

किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रिणं च

I see You adorned with diadem, mace, and disc, a mass of splendor blazing on all sides, hard to look upon, shining everywhere like a blazing fire and the sun, immeasurable.

त्वमक्षरं परमं वेदितव्यं

You are the Supreme Imperishable, the ultimate object of knowledge. You are the supreme sanctuary of this universe. You are the changeless protector of eternal righteousness (Dharma). I realize You are the Primeval, Eternal Person.

अनादिमध्यान्तमनन्तवीर्य-

I see You without beginning, middle, or end, of infinite power, with countless arms, having the sun and moon as Your eyes, and Your mouth like a blazing sacrificial fire, heating this entire universe with Your own splendor.

द्यावापृथिव्योरिदमन्तरं हि

This space between heaven and earth, as well as all directions, is pervaded by You alone. Seeing this wonderful, terrifying form of Yours, the three worlds are trembling with fear, O Great Soul.

अमी हि त्वां सुरसङ्घा विशन्ति

Verily, these hosts of demigods are entering into You; some, terrified, are chanting Your names with folded hands. Multitudes of great sages and perfected souls, shouting 'All auspiciousness!' are praising You with abundant hymns.

रुद्रादित्या वसवो ये च साध्या

The Rudras, Adityas, Vasus, Sadhyas, Vishvadevas, Ashvins, Maruts, Ushmapas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Asuras, and perfected Siddhas—they are all gazing upon You, completely amazed.

रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं

Seeing Your mighty form, with its infinite mouths, eyes, arms, thighs, feet, bellies, and formidable teeth, O mighty-armed one, all the worlds are trembling with terror, and so am I.

नभःस्पृशं दीप्तमनेकवर्णं

Seeing You touching the sky, blazing with many colors, with mouths wide open and large fiery eyes, my innermost soul is trembling with fear. I find no courage or peace, O Vishnu!

दंष्ट्राकरालानि च ते मुखानि

Seeing Your mouths, terrifying with fangs, resembling the fires of cosmic dissolution, I lose all sense of direction and find no shelter. Have mercy, O Lord of gods, O Sanctuary of the universe!

अमी च त्वां धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राः

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

वक्त्राणि ते त्वरमाणा विशन्ति

They are all rushing headlong into Your mouths, terrifying with fangs and awful to behold. Some are seen stuck between Your teeth, their heads crushed to powder.

यथा नदीनां बहवोऽम्बुवेगाः

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

यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गा

As moths rush swiftly into a blazing fire to meet their destruction, so do these worlds rush headlong into Your mouths to their own ruin.

लेलिह्यसे ग्रसमानः समन्ताल्-

You are licking up and devouring all the worlds from all sides with Your blazing mouths. Anointing the entire universe with Your terrible splendor, Your fierce rays are burning it, O Vishnu!

आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपो

Tell me, who are You of such fierce form? Salutations to You, O Best of gods, be gracious! I desire to know You, the Primeval One, for I do not understand Your actions or purpose.

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

The Supreme Lord said: I am mighty Time, the destroyer of the worlds, engaged here in annihilating people. Even without your participation, none of the warriors arrayed in the opposing armies shall survive.

तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व

Therefore, stand up and attain glory! Conquer your enemies and enjoy a prosperous kingdom. These warriors have already been slain by Me alone; be you merely an instrument, O ambidextrous archer.

द्रोणं च भीष्मं च जयद्रथं च

Slay Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna, and the other brave warriors who are already destroyed by Me. Do not fear; just fight, and you will conquer your enemies in battle.

सञ्जय उवाच |

Sanjaya said: Having heard these words of Keshava, the crowned one (Arjuna), with folded hands and trembling, offered salutations. Bowing down again, he spoke to Krishna in a faltering voice, overwhelmed with fear.

अर्जुन उवाच |

Arjuna said: It is proper, O Lord of the senses, that the world rejoices in Your praise and becomes attached to You. The demons flee in fear in all directions, while all the hosts of perfected souls bow down in salutation to You.

कस्माच्च ते न नमेरन्महात्मन्

And why should they not bow down to You, O Great Soul? You are greater than Brahma, the original creator. O Infinite One, Lord of the gods, Sanctuary of the universe, You are the Imperishable, being, non-being, and that which is beyond both.

त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराणस्-

You are the Primeval God, the Ancient Purusha; You are the supreme sanctuary of this universe. You are the knower, the object of knowledge, and the supreme abode. By You is this universe pervaded, O Lord of infinite forms!

वायुर्यमोऽग्निर्वरुणः शशाङ्कः

You are the wind, the god of death, fire, water, the moon, the creator Brahma, and the Great-Grandfather of all. Salutations to You a thousand times, and again and yet again, salutations, salutations to You!

नमः पुरस्तादथ पृष्ठतस्ते

Salutations to You from the front, from behind, and from all sides, O All! You possess infinite power and immeasurable might. You pervade everything, and therefore You are everything.

सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यदुक्तं

Thinking of You as a friend, whatever I have rashly said, such as 'O Krishna, O Yadava, O friend!', due to negligence or affection, not knowing Your majesty...

यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसि

And for whatever disrespect I may have shown You in jest, while playing, resting, sitting, or eating, whether alone or in the presence of others, O Achyuta (Infallible One), I beg forgiveness of You, the Immeasurable.

पितासि लोकस्य चराचरस्य

You are the Father of this world, of both the moving and non-moving beings. You are its most venerable teacher and object of worship. There is none equal to You in the three worlds; how then could there be anyone greater, O Lord of incomparable power?

तस्मात्प्रणम्य प्रणिधाय कायं

Therefore, bowing down and prostrating my body, I seek Your grace, O adorable Lord! As a father forgives his son, a friend his friend, and a lover his beloved, so please, O Lord, bear with me and forgive my errors.

अदृष्टपूर्वं हृषितोऽस्मि दृष्ट्वा

Having seen what has never been seen before, I am filled with joy; yet my mind is distressed with fear. Show me that familiar form of Yours, O Lord! Be gracious, O Lord of gods, O Sanctuary of the universe!

किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रहस्तं

I wish to see You as before, adorned with a diadem, holding a mace and discus in Your hands. O thousand-armed one, O Cosmic Form, assume once again that four-armed form!

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

The Supreme Lord said: By My grace, O Arjuna, this supreme form has been shown to you through My own yogic power—a form full of splendor, universal, infinite, and primeval, which has never been seen before by anyone other than you.

न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानैर्-

Neither by the study of the Vedas and sacrifices, nor by charity, nor by rituals, nor by severe penances, can I be seen in this human world in such a form by anyone other than you, O great hero of the Kurus!

मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो

Do not be afraid, and do not let your mind be bewildered on seeing this terrible form of Mine. Free from fear and with a joyful heart, behold once again that familiar form of Mine.

सञ्जय उवाच |

Sanjaya said: Having thus spoken to Arjuna, Vasudeva showed His own form again; and the Great Soul, assuming once more His gentle form, comforted the terrified one.

अर्जुन उवाच |

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

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

The Supreme Lord said: This form of Mine which you have seen is exceedingly difficult to behold. Even the gods are constantly longing to see this form.

नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया |

Neither by the study of the Vedas, nor by penance, nor by charity, nor by ritualistic worship can I be seen in this form as you have seen Me.

भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन |

But by single-minded devotion alone, O Arjuna, can I be known, seen in truth, and entered into, O vanquisher of enemies!

मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः सङ्गवर्जितः |

He who performs My work, who holds Me as the supreme goal, who is devoted to Me, free from attachment, and without enmity toward any living being—he comes to Me, O son of Pandu!