
11
CHAPTER
VERSE
23
रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं महाबाहो बहुबाहूरुपादम् |
बहूदरं बहुदंष्ट्राकरालं दृष्ट्वा लोका: प्रव्यथितास्तथाहम् || 11.23 ||
Rūpaṁ mahatte bahu-vaktra-netraṁ mahā-bāho bahu-bāhūru-pādam |
Bahu-daraṁ bahu-daṁṣṭrākārālaṁ dṛṣṭvā lokāḥ pravyathitās tathāham ||
O mighty-armed Krishna, seeing your great form with many faces and eyes, with many arms, thighs, feet, bellies, mouths, and terrifying with many tusks, all the worlds are perturbed, and so am I.
Lesson:
Overwhelmed by the grandeur and awe-inspiring nature of Krishna's divine manifestation, Arjuna describes the myriad aspects of this cosmic form. He addresses Krishna as "mahā-bāho," meaning mighty-armed, acknowledging his divine strength and power. He describes Krishna's form as "mahat," or great, indicating its vast and majestic appearance. Arjuna is astounded by the sight of Krishna's form adorned with many faces and eyes, symbolizing his all-encompassing vision and awareness.
Furthermore, Arjuna observes Krishna's form with many arms, thighs, and feet, symbolizing his omnipresence and omnipotence. The multiplicity of limbs signifies the cosmic nature of Krishna's being, extending beyond human comprehension. Arjuna also notes the presence of multiple bellies and mouths, representing the cosmic sustenance and nourishment provided by Krishna to all beings.
Additionally, Arjuna describes Krishna's form as "bahudaraṁ," meaning having many bellies, and "bahudaṁṣṭrākārālaṁ," meaning terrifying with many tusks. These aspects of Krishna's form evoke a sense of awe and reverence in Arjuna's heart, highlighting the transcendental and awe-inspiring nature of the divine revelation.
The sight of Krishna's Vishvarupa fills Arjuna with both wonder and fear. He observes that not only is he perturbed by the vision, but all the worlds are also shaken by the grandeur of Krishna's cosmic form. This portrayal emphasizes the universal significance of Krishna's divine manifestation, affecting not only Arjuna but all of creation.
In essence, this verse illustrates the transformative impact of encountering the divine. Arjuna's vision of Krishna's Vishvarupa transcends the boundaries of human perception, revealing the boundless nature of the divine reality. It serves as a profound reminder of the incomprehensible power and majesty of God, inspiring awe, reverence, and spiritual awakening in the hearts of devotees.