Chapter 11

Arjuna. This, for my soul's peace, have I heard from Thee, The unfolding of the Mystery Supreme Named Adhyatman; comprehending which, My darkness is dispelled; for now I know-- O Lotus-eyed!²¹--whence is the birth of men, And whence their death, and what the majesties Of Thine immortal rule. Fain would I see, As thou Thyself declar'st it, Sovereign Lord! The likeness of that glory of Thy Form Wholly revealed. O Thou Divinest One! If this can be, if I may bear the sight, Make Thyself visible, Lord of all prayers! Show me Thy very self, the Eternal God!

Arjuna. For my soul's peace, I have heard you explain the Supreme Mystery called Adhyatman. Understanding this mystery has cleared my darkness. For now I know, O Lotus-eyed!²¹, where human beings come from, why they die, and the greatness of your immortal rule. I long to see, just as you describe it, Sovereign Lord, the glory of your Form fully revealed. O Divine One! If this is possible, if I can bear the sight, make yourself visible, Lord of all prayers! Show me your true self, the Eternal God!

Krishna. Gaze, then, thou Son of Pritha! I manifest for thee Those hundred thousand thousand shapes that clothe my Mystery: I show thee all my semblances, infinite, rich, divine, My changeful hues, my countless forms. See! in this face of mine, Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Aswins, and Maruts; see Wonders unnumbered, Indian Prince! revealed to none save thee. Behold! this is the Universe!--Look! what is live and dead I gather all in one--in Me! Gaze, as thy lips have said, On GOD ETERNAL, VERY GOD! See Me! see what thou prayest!

Krishna. Look, Son of Pritha! I reveal to you The hundred million forms that clothe my mystery. I show you all my appearances, infinite, magnificent, divine, My changing colors, my countless forms. Look! In my face, see Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Aswins, and Maruts. See Countless wonders, Indian Prince, revealed to no one but you. Look! This is the Universe! See all that is living and dead, Gathered together in me! Look, as you have asked, At GOD ETERNAL, THE TRUE GOD! See me! See what you have prayed to see!

Thou canst not!--nor, with human eyes, Arjuna! ever mayest! Therefore I give thee sense divine. Have other eyes, new light! And, look! This is My glory, unveiled to mortal sight!

You cannot, Arjuna! You will never be able to see with human eyes! So I give you divine sight. Receive new eyes, new light! And look! My glory is now revealed to mortal eyes!

Sanjaya. Then, O King! the God, so saying, Stood, to Pritha's Son displaying All the splendour, wonder, dread Of His vast Almighty-head. Out of countless eyes beholding, Out of countless mouths commanding, Countless mystic forms enfolding In one Form: supremely standing Countless radiant glories wearing, Countless heavenly weapons bearing, Crowned with garlands of star-clusters, Robed in garb of woven lustres, Breathing from His perfect Presence Breaths of every subtle essence Of all heavenly odours; shedding Blinding brilliance; overspreading-- Boundless, beautiful--all spaces With His all-regarding faces; So He showed! If there should rise Suddenly within the skies Sunburst of a thousand suns Flooding earth with beams undeemed-of, Then might be that Holy One's Majesty and radiance dreamed of!

Sanjaya. Then, O King, after speaking, The God stood before Pritha's Son, revealing All the splendor, wonder, and terror Of his vast, almighty being. He gazed through countless eyes And commanded through countless mouths. He held countless mysterious forms Within one Form, standing supreme. He shone with countless radiant glories And carried countless heavenly weapons. He wore clusters of stars as garlands And robes of woven light. From his perfect presence flowed The delicate fragrances Of every heavenly scent. He shone With blinding brilliance, filling All space with his boundless beauty And faces that watched over everything. This was how he appeared! If A thousand suns suddenly rose in the sky, Their combined light Flooding the earth with unimaginable rays, Then one might begin to imagine the Holy One's Majesty and radiance!

So did Pandu's Son behold All this universe enfold All its huge diversity Into one vast shape, and be Visible, and viewed, and blended In one Body--subtle, splendid, Nameless--th' All-comprehending God of Gods, the Never-Ending Deity!

So Pandu's Son saw the whole universe, in all its vast diversity, gathered into one immense form. All was visible and united in one subtle, splendid Body, nameless and all-encompassing: the God of Gods, the eternal Deity!

But, sore amazed, Thrilled, o'erfilled, dazzled, and dazed, Arjuna knelt; and bowed his head, And clasped his palms; and cried, and said:

But, utterly amazed, Thrilled, overwhelmed, dazzled, and dazed, Arjuna knelt and bowed his head. He pressed his palms together and cried out:

Arjuna. Yea! I have seen! I see! Lord! all is wrapped in Thee! The gods are in Thy glorious frame! the creatures Of earth, and heaven, and hell In Thy Divine form dwell, And in Thy countenance shine all the features

Arjuna. Yes! I have seen! I see! Lord! Everything is held within you! The gods are in your glorious form! The creatures Of earth, heaven, and hell Live in your divine form, And all the features shine in your face

Of Brahma, sitting lone Upon His lotus-throne; Of saints and sages, and the serpent races Ananta, Vasuki; Yea! mightiest Lord! I see Thy thousand thousand arms, and breasts, and faces, And eyes,--on every side Perfect, diversified; And nowhere end of Thee, nowhere beginning, Nowhere a centre! Shifts-- Wherever soul's gaze lifts-- Thy central Self, all-wielding, and all-winning!

I see Brahma, sitting alone On his lotus throne. I see saints and sages, and the serpent races, Ananta, Vasuki. Yes, mightiest Lord! I see Your countless thousands of arms, chests, and faces, And eyes, on every side, Perfect in all their varied forms. You have no end and no beginning, And no center! Your center shifts Wherever my soul looks: Your central Self, ruling all and conquering all!

Infinite King! I see The anadem on Thee, The club, the shell, the discus; see Thee burning In beams insufferable, Lighting earth, heaven, and hell With brilliance blazing, glowing, flashing; turning

Infinite King! I see the crown on your head, the club, the conch, the discus. I see you burning with unbearable light, illuminating earth, heaven, and hell with brilliance blazing, glowing, flashing, turning

Darkness to dazzling day, Look I whichever way; Ah, Lord! I worship Thee, the Undivided, The Uttermost of thought, The Treasure-Palace wrought To hold the wealth of the worlds; the Shield provided

From darkness to dazzling daylight, wherever I look. Ah, Lord! I worship you, the Undivided, the highest reach of thought, the treasure palace built to hold the wealth of the worlds, the shield provided

To shelter Virtue's laws; The Fount whence Life's stream draws All waters of all rivers of all being: The One Unborn, Unending: Unchanging and Unblending! With might and majesty, past thought, past seeing!

To protect the laws of virtue. The source from which life's stream draws All the waters of all the rivers of all existence. The One, unborn and without end, Unchanging and unmixed! With power and majesty beyond thought and sight!

Silver of moon and gold Of sun are glories rolled From Thy great eyes; Thy visage, beaming tender Throughout the stars and skies, Doth to warm life surprise Thy Universe. The worlds are filled with wonder

The moon’s silver and the sun’s gold Are glories shining From your great eyes. Your face shines tenderly Across the stars and skies, Awakening your Universe to warm life. The worlds are filled with wonder.

Of Thy perfections! Space Star-sprinkled, and void place From pole to pole of the Blue, from bound to bound, Hath Thee in every spot, Thee, Thee!--Where Thou art not, O Holy, Marvellous Form! is nowhere found!

Of your perfections! Space, Filled with stars, and empty space, From pole to pole of the blue sky, from edge to edge, Contains you everywhere, You, you! Wherever you look, O holy, wondrous form, There is nowhere you are not!

O Mystic, Awful One! At sight of Thee, made known, The Three Worlds quake; the lower gods draw nigh Thee; They fold their palms, and bow Body, and breast, and brow, And, whispering worship, laud and magnify Thee!

O mysterious, awe-inspiring one! At the sight of your revealed form, The Three Worlds tremble. The lesser gods approach you. They press their palms together and bow Their bodies, chests, and heads. They whisper words of worship, praising and glorifying you!

Rishis and Siddhas cry "Hail! Highest Majesty!" From sage and singer breaks the hymn of glory In dulcet harmony, Sounding the praise of Thee; While countless companies take up the story,

Rishis and Siddhas cry, "Hail, highest majesty!" Sages and singers raise a hymn of glory In sweet harmony, Singing your praise, While countless groups join in the song,

Rudras, who ride the storms, Th' Adityas' shining forms, Vasus and Sadhyas, Viswas, Ushmapas; Maruts, and those great Twins The heavenly, fair, Aswins, Gandharvas, Rakshasas, Siddhas, and Asuras,²²--

Rudras, who ride the storms, The shining forms of the Adityas, Vasus and Sadhyas, Viswas, Ushmapas, Maruts, and those great twins, The beautiful, heavenly Aswins, Gandharvas, Rakshasas, Siddhas, and Asuras,²²

These see Thee, and revere In sudden-stricken fear; Yea! the Worlds,--seeing Thee with form stupendous, With faces manifold, With eyes which all behold, Unnumbered eyes, vast arms, members tremendous,

These see you and honor you, Suddenly struck with fear. Yes, the Worlds see your immense form, With its many faces, With eyes that see everything, Countless eyes, vast arms, and enormous limbs,

Flanks, lit with sun and star, Feet planted near and far, Tushes of terror, mouths wrathful and tender;-- The Three wide Worlds before Thee Adore, as I adore Thee, Quake, as I quake, to witness so much splendour!

Your sides shine with sunlight and starlight, Your feet are planted near and far, Your terrifying tusks, your mouths both fierce and tender. The Three vast Worlds before you Worship you, as I worship you, Tremble, as I tremble, at the sight of such splendor!

I mark Thee strike the skies With front, in wondrous wise Huge, rainbow-painted, glittering; and thy mouth Opened, and orbs which see All things, whatever be In all Thy worlds, east, west, and north and south.

I see your forehead reach the skies, so wondrously vast, glittering with rainbow colors. Your mouth is open. Your eyes see everything that exists in all your worlds, east, west, north, and south.

O Eyes of God! O Head! My strength of soul is fled, Gone is heart's force, rebuked is mind's desire! When I behold Thee so, With awful brows a-glow, With burning glance, and lips lighted by fire

O eyes of God! O head! My soul has lost its strength. My heart has lost its courage, my mind's desire is crushed! When I see you like this, With terrifying, glowing brows, With a burning gaze and lips lit by fire

Fierce as those flames which shall Consume, at close of all, Earth, Heaven! Ah me! I see no Earth and Heaven! Thee, Lord of Lords! I see, Thee only-only Thee! Now let Thy mercy unto me be given,

Fierce as the flames that will consume, at the end of all things, Earth and Heaven! Oh, I see no Earth or Heaven! You, Lord of Lords, I see, you alone, only you! Now show me your mercy,

Thou Refuge of the World! Lo! to the cavern hurled Of Thy wide-opened throat, and lips white-tushed, I see our noblest ones, Great Dhritarashtra's sons, Bhishma, Drona, and Karna, caught and crushed!

Refuge of the world! Look! Into the cavern Of your wide-open throat, past your white-fanged lips, I see our noblest warriors hurled, Great Dhritarashtra's sons, Bhishma, Drona, and Karna, trapped and crushed!

The Kings and Chiefs drawn in, That gaping gorge within; The best of both these armies torn and riven! Between Thy jaws they lie Mangled full bloodily, Ground into dust and death! Like streams down-driven

The kings and chiefs are drawn Into your gaping throat. The best warriors of both armies are torn apart! Between your jaws they lie, Bloodied and mangled, Ground to dust and death! Like streams rushing downward

With helpless haste, which go In headlong furious flow Straight to the gulfing deeps of th' unfilled ocean, So to that flaming cave Those heroes great and brave Pour, in unending streams, with helpless motion!

Helplessly, they rush In a wild, headlong torrent Straight into the swallowing depths of the never-full ocean. So into that flaming cave Those great, brave heroes pour In endless streams, powerless to stop!

Like moths which in the night Flutter towards a light, Drawn to their fiery doom, flying and dying, So to their death still throng, Blind, dazzled, borne along Ceaselessly, all those multitudes, wild flying!

Moths in the night Flutter toward a light, Drawn into its flames, flying and dying. In the same way, all those multitudes keep crowding toward death, Blind, dazzled, swept along, Flying wildly without end!

Thou, that hast fashioned men, Devourest them again, One with another, great and small, alike! The creatures whom Thou mak'st, With flaming jaws Thou tak'st, Lapping them up! Lord God! Thy terrors strike

You, who have created people, Devour them again, One after another, great and small alike! The creatures you make, You seize in your flaming jaws, Lapping them up! Lord God! You strike terror

From end to end of earth, Filling life full, from birth To death, with deadly, burning, lurid dread! Ah, Vishnu! make me know Why is Thy visage so? Who art Thou, feasting thus upon Thy dead?

Across the whole earth, Filling all of life, from birth To death, with deadly, burning, horrifying dread! Ah, Vishnu! Help me understand. Why does your face look like this? Who are you, feasting like this on your dead?

Who? awful Deity! I bow myself to Thee, Namostu Te, Devavara! Prasid!²³ O Mightiest Lord! rehearse Why hast Thou face so fierce? Whence doth this aspect horrible proceed?

Who are you, terrifying God? I bow before you, Namostu Te, Devavara! Prasid!²³ O mightiest Lord! Tell me, Why is your face so fierce? Where does your horrifying appearance come from?

Krishna. Thou seest Me as Time who kills, Time who brings all to doom, The Slayer Time, Ancient of Days, come hither to consume; Excepting thee, of all these hosts of hostile chiefs arrayed, There stands not one shall leave alive the battlefield! Dismayed No longer be! Arise! obtain renown! destroy thy foes! Fight for the kingdom waiting thee when thou hast vanquished those. By Me they fall--not thee! the stroke of death is dealt them now, Even as they show thus gallantly; My instrument art thou! Strike, strong-armed Prince, at Drona! at Bhishma strike! deal death On Karna, Jyadratha; stay all their warlike breath! 'Tis I who bid them perish! Thou wilt but slay the slain; Fight! they must fall, and thou must live, victor upon this plain!

Krishna. You see me as Time, who kills, Time, who brings everyone to their doom, Time the Slayer, Ancient of Days, who has come here to consume. Except for you, not one of these assembled enemy leaders will leave the battlefield alive! Do not be afraid any longer! Rise! Win fame! Destroy your enemies! Fight for the kingdom waiting for you when you have defeated them. These warriors fall by my hand, not yours! Their deathblow has already been struck, even as they stand so bravely. You are my instrument! Strike Drona, strong-armed Prince! Strike Bhishma! Kill Karna and Jyadratha. End the lives of all these warriors! I am the one who commands their deaths! You will only kill those already slain. Fight! These warriors must fall, and you must live, victorious on this battlefield!

Sanjaya. Hearing mighty Keshav's word, Tremblingly that helmed Lord Clasped his lifted palms, and--praying Grace of Krishna--stood there, saying, With bowed brow and accents broken, These words, timorously spoken:

Sanjaya. Hearing mighty Keshav's words, the helmeted lord trembled. He raised his hands and pressed his palms together. Praying for Krishna's grace, he stood there, his head bowed and his voice breaking, and spoke these words in fear:

Arjuna. Worthily, Lord of Might! The whole world hath delight In Thy surpassing power, obeying Thee; The Rakshasas, in dread At sight of Thee, are sped To all four quarters; and the company

Arjuna. As is fitting, Lord of Might! The whole world delights In your supreme power and obeys you. The Rakshasas, terrified At the sight of you, flee In all four directions. And the company

Of Siddhas sound Thy name. How should they not proclaim Thy Majesties, Divinest, Mightiest? Thou Brahm, than Brahma greater! Thou Infinite Creator! Thou God of gods, Life's Dwelling-place and Rest!

The Siddhas praise your name. How could the Siddhas not proclaim your glories, most divine and mightiest? You are Brahm, greater than Brahma! You are the Infinite Creator! You are the God of gods, life's home and resting place!

Thou, of all souls the Soul! The Comprehending Whole! Of being formed, and formless being the Framer; O Utmost One! O Lord! Older than eld, Who stored The worlds with wealth of life! O Treasure-Claimer,

You are the Soul of all souls! The Whole that encompasses everything! The Creator of all being, with form and without form! O Supreme One! O Lord! Older than time itself, you filled The worlds with the wealth of life! You who claim treasure,

Who wottest all, and art Wisdom Thyself! O Part In all, and All; for all from Thee have risen Numberless now I see The aspects are of Thee! Vayu²⁴ Thou art, and He who keeps the prison

You know all and are wisdom itself! You are a part of all, and all itself, for all have come from you. Now I see your countless forms! You are Vayu²⁴, and the one who guards the prison

Of Narak, Yama dark; And Agni's shining spark; Varuna's waves are Thy waves. Moon and starlight Are Thine! Prajapati Art Thou, and 'tis to Thee They knelt in worshipping the old world's far light,

You are dark Yama of Narak, And Agni's shining spark. Varuna's waves are your waves. Moonlight and starlight Are yours! You are Prajapati, And it was to you They knelt in worship in the ancient world's distant dawn.

The first of mortal men. Again, Thou God! again A thousand thousand times be magnified! Honour and worship be-- Glory and praise,--to Thee Namo, Namaste, cried on every side;

The first among mortal men. Again, O God, again, May you be praised a million times! Honor and worship, Glory and praise to you. Namo, Namaste, called out on every side.

Cried here, above, below, Uttered when Thou dost go, Uttered where Thou dost come! Namo! we call; Namostu! God adored! Namostu! Nameless Lord! Hail to Thee! Praise to Thee! Thou One in all;

Called out here, above, below, Called out when you go, Called out wherever you come! Namo! we call. Namostu! God we adore! Namostu! Nameless Lord! Hail to you! Praise to you! You are the One in all.

For Thou art All! Yea, Thou! Ah! if in anger now Thou shouldst remember I did think Thee Friend, Speaking with easy speech, As men use each to each; Did call Thee "Krishna," "Prince," nor comprehend

For you are all! Yes, you! Ah, if you should now remember in anger That I thought of you as a friend, Speaking casually, As people do with one another, Calling you "Krishna," "Prince," without understanding

Thy hidden majesty, The might, the awe of Thee; Did, in my heedlessness, or in my love, On journey, or in jest, Or when we lay at rest, Sitting at council, straying in the grove,

Your hidden majesty, Your power, the awe you inspire. Did, in my carelessness or my love, While traveling or joking, Or when we lay resting, Sitting in council or wandering in the grove,

Alone, or in the throng, Do Thee, most Holy! wrong, Be Thy grace granted for that witless sin! For Thou art, now I know, Father of all below, Of all above, of all the worlds within

Alone or in a crowd, If I wrong you, most holy one, Grant me your grace for that thoughtless sin! For now I know you are The father of all below, Of all above, and of all the worlds within.

Guru of Gurus; more To reverence and adore Than all which is adorable and high! How, in the wide worlds three Should any equal be? Should any other share Thy Majesty?

Guru of Gurus, you deserve more reverence and worship than all that is worthy of worship and honor! How could anyone in all three worlds be your equal? Could anyone else share your majesty?

Therefore, with body bent And reverent intent, I praise, and serve, and seek Thee, asking grace. As father to a son, As friend to friend, as one Who loveth to his lover, turn Thy face

So, with my body bowed And with deep respect, I praise, serve, and seek you, asking for grace. As a father turns to his son, As a friend turns to a friend, as a lover Turns to their beloved, turn your face toward me.

In gentleness on me! Good is it I did see This unknown marvel of Thy Form! But fear Mingles with joy! Retake, Dear Lord! for pity's sake Thine earthly shape, which earthly eyes may bear!

Be gentle with me! I am glad I have seen This unfamiliar wonder of your form! But fear Mixes with joy! Return, Dear Lord, out of compassion, To your earthly form, which human eyes can bear!

Be merciful, and show The visage that I know; Let me regard Thee, as of yore, arrayed With disc and forehead-gem, With mace and anadem, Thou that sustainest all things! Undismayed

Be merciful and show The face I know. Let me see you as before, with Your discus and forehead jewel, Your mace and crown, You who sustain all things! Unafraid

Let me once more behold The form I loved of old, Thou of the thousand arms and countless eyes! This frightened heart is fain To see restored again My Charioteer, in Krishna's kind disguise.

Let me see once more The form I once loved, You with a thousand arms and countless eyes! My frightened heart longs To see you return as My charioteer, in Krishna's gentle form.

Krishna. Yea! thou hast seen, Arjuna! because I loved thee well, The secret countenance of Me, revealed by mystic spell, Shining, and wonderful, and vast, majestic, manifold, Which none save thou in all the years had favour to behold; For not by Vedas cometh this, nor sacrifice, nor alms, Nor works well-done, nor penance long, nor prayers, nor chaunted psalms, That mortal eyes should bear to view the Immortal Soul unclad, Prince of the Kurus! This was kept for thee alone! Be glad! Let no more trouble shake thy heart, because thine eyes have seen My terror with My glory. As I before have been So will I be again for thee; with lightened heart behold! Once more I am thy Krishna, the form thou knew'st of old!

Krishna. Yes, Arjuna! You have seen, because I loved you deeply, My secret form, revealed through mystical power, Radiant, wonderful, vast, majestic, and appearing in many forms. No one but you, in all the years, has been granted such a sight. For neither the Vedas, nor sacrifice, nor charity, Nor good deeds, nor long penance, nor prayers, nor chanted psalms can enable mortal eyes to see the Immortal Soul unveiled. Prince of the Kurus! This vision was reserved for you alone! Be glad! Let your heart be troubled no longer because you have seen My terror alongside my glory. As I appeared to you before, So I will appear again. Look at me with a lighter heart! Once more I am your Krishna, in the form you have always known!

Sanjaya. These words to Arjuna spake Vasudev, and straight did take Back again the semblance dear Of the well-loved charioteer; Peace and joy it did restore When the Prince beheld once more Mighty BRAHMA's form and face Clothed in Krishna's gentle grace.

Sanjaya. Vasudev spoke these words to Arjuna. Then he immediately returned to the familiar appearance of the beloved charioteer. Peace and joy returned to the Prince when he once again saw mighty BRAHMA's form and face clothed in Krishna's gentle grace.

Arjuna. Now that I see come back, Janardana! This friendly human frame, my mind can think Calm thoughts once more; my heart beats still again!

Arjuna. Now that I see you again, Janardana, in your friendly human form, I can think calmly once more. My heart is at peace again!

Krishna. Yea! it was wonderful and terrible To view me as thou didst, dear Prince! The gods Dread and desire continually to view! Yet not by Vedas, nor from sacrifice, Nor penance, nor gift-giving, nor with prayer Shall any so behold, as thou hast seen! Only by fullest service, perfect faith, And uttermost surrender am I known And seen, and entered into, Indian Prince! Who doeth all for Me; who findeth Me In all; adoreth always; loveth all Which I have made, and Me, for Love's sole end That man, Arjuna! unto Me doth wend.

Krishna. Yes! Seeing me was wonderful and terrifying as you saw me, dear Prince! The gods constantly fear and long to see me! Yet neither the Vedas nor sacrifice, nor penance, nor giving gifts, nor prayer can let anyone see me as you have! Only through complete service, perfect faith, and total surrender can I be known, seen, and entered into, Indian Prince! Whoever does everything for me, finds me in everything, always worships me, and loves all I have made, and me, for love alone, comes to me, Arjuna!

HERE ENDETH CHAPTER XI. OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA, Entitled "Viswarupadarsanam," Or "The Book of the Manifesting of the One and Manifold."

HERE ENDS CHAPTER XI OF THE BHAGAVAD-GITA, Titled "Viswarupadarsanam," Or "The Book of the Revelation of the One and the Many."