(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

Only By Divine Power Can One See His Magnificent, Limitless, And Primal Cosmic Form

श्रीभगवानुवाच |
मया प्रसन्नेन तवार्जुनेदं
रूपं परं दर्शितमात्मयोगात् |
तेजोमयं विश्वमनन्तमाद्यं
यन्मे त्वदन्येन न दृष्टपूर्वम् || 11.47||

śhrī-bhagavān uvācha
mayā prasannena tavārjunedaṁ
rūpaṁ paraṁ darśhitam ātma-yogāt
tejo-mayaṁ viśhvam anantam ādyaṁ
yan me tvad anyena na dṛiṣhṭa-pūrvam|| 11.47||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 11- Ver. 47:
Shree Bhagavaan said:

“I have exhibited this highest form to you, O Arjuna, with my strength because I am pleased.” My form is bright, ubiquitous, endless, and primeval, and no one has ever seen it but you.

Explanation

Since Arjuna had grown terrified and prayed for the cosmic form to be veiled, Shree Krishna now reassures him by clarifying that he need not be afraid. He had graced Arjuna with a glimpse of his universal form, not as a punishment, but because he was delighted with him.

By declaring that Arjuna is the first person to view the universal form, he utilizes exaggeration as a figure of speech to emphasize how unusual it is to see it. Although Duryodhana and Yashoda were also shown the universal form, it was not to the same degree of intensity, depth, or magnitude.

With the help of his Yoga Maya energy, Shree Krishna delivered this beautiful vision upon Arjuna. This is God’s divine all-powerful energy. God is kartumakartum anyathā karatum samarthaḥ because of this Yogamaya energy.
“At the same time, he can perform the conceivable, the impossible, and the contradictory.” This divine might of God also manifests in the Hindu faith as the Divine Mother of the cosmos, who is worshipped as Radha, Durga, Lakshmi, Kali, Sita, Parvati, and others.

Verse & what we can learn

Shri Krishna had previously revealed his “soumya roopa,” a joyful cosmic form, which had been replaced by his “raudra roopa,” a terrifying appearance. When Arjuna first saw it, he was terrified. Later, he admitted that he could no longer see it and asked Shri Krishna to cease showing it to him. Shri Krishna told Arjuna in this shloka that the terrifying shape was not intended to intimidate him. The frightening cosmic shape, a product of Ishvara’s maaya might, was only displayed because of his compassion.

Why was this dreadful form displayed? From a practical sense, it serves as a powerful reminder to balance production and destruction in our lives. Most of us have a tendency to become attracted to good and favourable conditions while rejecting or fleeing from unpleasant ones. Ishvara’s universal shape accommodates both and gives them equal weight. Shri Krishna wants us to see the same Ishvara in all parts of life, both good and unpleasant, through this form.

Shri Krishna wanted to emphasize the need of not objectifying this universal form, or thinking of ourselves as apart from it. We are a part of that universal shape; it is not anything separate from us. He explains the major characteristics of this form to emphasize this argument. It has brilliance (tejomaya), it is all-pervading (vishwam), it is infinite (anantam), it is primordial and without beginning (aadyam).

To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.

There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There is also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.

Shri Krishna emphasizes to Arjuna the uniqueness of this form. Which is further explored in the next shloka.

Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…