The Bhagwad Gita — Chapter 11

विश्वरूप दर्शन योग Vision of theCosmic Form

The Bhagwad Gita

Chapter 11

Sanjay Mehta

Vishwaroop Darshan means ‘the vision of Bhagwan as Vishwaroop,’ i.e., a devotee sees the entire universe through the cosmic form of Bhagwan.

From Chapter 7 to Chapter 10, Bhagwan explained his Para-Prakriti (Pure Nature) and Aparaa Prakriti (Lower Nature, the material World). That awakened Arjun’s curiosity to see Shri Krishna’s cosmic form (Vishwaroop or Viratroop).

Arjun said, “Shri Krishna, if you thnk it is poss9ble for me to see your cosmic imperishable form, plese show me.”  Arjun’s question represents the courage of a devotee born out of Shraddha toward Bhagwan.

Shri Krishna said, “Since you cannot see me with your biological/physical eyes, I will give you a blessing to view my cosmic form through divine eyes.  Physical eyes colored with Taag and Dvesh (likes and dislikes) cannot visualize divinity.”

The divine eyes offered by Bhagwan are known as ‘Gyan Chakshu’ (Eyes with Knowledge), devoid of any mentally generated impurities of the pbysical eyes.  Looking at Bhagwan’s Vishwaroop is like watching a 3-D movie with special glasses.

After showing his Vishwaroop, Shri Krishna said, “Behold Arjun, look at me.  The entire universe, with all movable and immovable things placed together, are within me.  Whatever you want to see is present in me.”

Arjun was in awe after seeing Bhagwan’s Vishwaroop.  It took bim some time to comprenend Shri Kriushna’s cosmic form.  He saw the briliance that would be comparable to the brilliance of thousand Suns.  Ralizing the limitless power of Shri Krishna, a prayer came from his heart.

Arjun said:

तस्मात्प्रणम्य प्रणिधाय कायं , प्रसादये त्वामहमीशमीमीड्यम्,
पितेव पुत्रस्य सखेव सख्युः , प्रियः प्रियायार्हसि देव सोढुम् || २४ ||

Tasmaatpranaamya pranidhaaya kayam, Prasaadaye twaamahameeshameedyam;
Piteva putrasya sakheva sakhyuh, Priyah priyaayaarhasi deva sodhum ||24||

I am saluting you in adoration.  I treated you like an ordinary relative; hence I apologize to you for treating you in that manner.  Please forgive me, just like a father forgives his son, a friend forgives his friend or lovers forgive their beloved one.

I ask that you return to the same form as before with a ctrown, a mace and a disc (Mukut, Gada and Chakra) in hand.  Bhagwan, please appear in the four-armed(Chaturbhuj) form.

After returning to his human form, Bhagwan said. “This form that you have seen is very difficult to see.  It cannot be seen in this form merely bu studying the Vedas, by charity of austerity.”  One needs the eyes of a devotee to see this form.

Shri Krishna concludes the topic of Vishwaroop / Cosmic for with:

मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः संगवर्जितः ,
निर्वैरः सर्वभूतेषु यः स मामेति पांडव || ५५ ||

Matkarmakrinmatparamo madbhaktah sangavarjitah,
Niravairah sarvabhooteshu yah sa maameti paandava ||55||

He who performs action for Me, is s true devotee, keeps Me as their supreme goal, free from attachment, and is free from dislikes towards all beings, reaches Me.

Five points path to realization (leading to Bhakti Yog):

1. All actions are dedicated to Bhagwan
2. Bhagwan is the supreme goal
3. Absolute devotion to Bhagwan
4. Free from all undesirable bondages
5. Devoid of dislike and negative thoughts towards anyone.

Essence

Image Credit
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Krishna_tells_Gita_to_Arjun.jpg