(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

One Should Not Be Surprised to See Divine in His Great Form one Should Be Fearless and Have a Happy Temperament

मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो
दृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्ममेदम् |
व्यपेतभी: प्रीतमना: पुनस्त्वं
तदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य || 11.49||

mā te vyathā mā cha vimūḍha-bhāvo
dṛiṣhṭvā rūpaṁ ghoram īdṛiṅ mamedam
vyapeta-bhīḥ prīta-manāḥ punas tvaṁ
tad eva me rūpam idaṁ prapaśhya|| 11.49||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 11- Ver. 49:

Do not be alarmed, and do not be misled by my terrifying appearance. Be fearless, and look at this shape of mine again with a pleasant mind.

Explanation

Shri Krishna knew Arjuna’s mind couldn’t handle the dread-inducing cosmic shape, so he told him not to worry and to eradicate all signs of fear. He comforted him that he had been with his friend, charioteer, and comrade all along. Nothing had been altered. He used the word “prapashya,” which means “behold,” to tell Arjuna not to look away since Shri Krishna in his familiar form was approaching.
Shree Krishna continues to reassure Arjuna that instead of being terrified, he should be grateful for the opportunity to see the cosmic form. He also advises Arjuna to look at his personal form again and let go of his fear.

Verse & what we can learn

We haven’t witnessed the cosmic form’s enormous sweep and scale, unlike Arjuna. However, because our daily lives are a part of that cosmos, anything Shri Krishna says to Arjuna also applies to us. Fear and agitation are common reactions to the terrors, destructive powers of the universe. Shri Krishna encourages us to live our lives fearlessly and with a joyful mind, for he is present in everything. We only produce dread and tension when we ignore this fact.

Delusion, or the confusion between good and wrong knowledge, is at the basis of all pain and anxiety. Arjuna’s misconception was brought on by his attachment to his relatives. In our case, it’s our attachment to our bodies, our belongings, our families, our jobs, our positions, and so on. When Shri Krishna says “maa vimoodhabhaavaha,” he is urging us all to let go of our illusions and learn to perceive Ishvara in everything and everything in 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.

In the next shloka Sanjaya speaks…

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