(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

The Divine Possess Infinite Valour, Might, Pervades Everything, And He Is Everything

नम: पुरस्तादथ पृष्ठतस्ते
नमोऽस्तु ते सर्वत एव सर्व |
अनन्तवीर्यामितविक्रमस्त्वं
सर्वं समाप्नोषि ततोऽसि सर्व: || 11.40||

namaḥ purastād atha pṛiṣhṭhatas te
namo ’stu te sarvata eva sarva
ananta-vīryāmita-vikramas tvaṁ
sarvaṁ samāpnoṣhi tato ’si sarvaḥ|| 11.40||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 11- Ver. 40:

Salutations to you from before and behind indeed from all sides. O One of Infinite Power and Infinite Valour, may there be salutations to you everywhere. You are everything because you pervade all.

Explanation

Arjuna was widely considered as one of the greatest archers of his time, wielding Lord Shiva’s Gaandiva bow. He had assumed that the Kauravas were being defeated by his force and power. However, after seeing the cosmic form, his pride was completely vanished. He acknowledged in this shloka that his power and bravery originated from Ishvara, and that he was merely the instrument through which that power was channeled.

Arjuna resumes his adoration of Shree Krishna by describing him for his unlimited strength, infinite power and immeasurable power. Overcome with astonishment, he salutes Shree Krishna from every angle, screaming I bow down to you again and again.

Verse & what we can learn

When Arjuna learned the truth proclaimed in the Upanishads, that Ishvara pervades everything and is ultimately everything, Shri Krishna’s goal was actually realized.

When Arjuna realized that Ishwara was the infinite source of all power and valour, as well as the ultimate source and cause of everything, he couldn’t help but salute the cosmic form. He had lost all sense of space and direction, as we witnessed earlier. He had no idea which way was north or south, or which way was up or down. He was so ecstatic that he wanted to salute Ishvara from every angle, front, rear, and side.

One of the nine methods of worship is to offer our salutations to Ishvara, also known as “vandanam.” It’s one of the most basic and efficient ways to communicate with Ishvara. By its very nature, saluting or bowing to someone removes our ahankara, or ego, which is the major barrier to connecting with Ishvara.

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.

Following his understanding of the cosmic form’s purpose, Arjuna began to ask Shri Krishna for forgiveness in the next shloka.

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