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Chapter 11 · The Universal Form · 55 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Bhakti & surrenderChapter 11 · The Universal Form

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 11.17

Arjuna prays in astonishment and reverence

Īśvara · God

किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रिणं च

तेजोराशिं सर्वतो दीप्‍तिमन्तम् ।

पश्यामि त्वां दुर्निरीक्ष्यं समन्ता-

द्दीप्‍तानलार्कद्युतिमप्रमेयम् ॥ १७ ॥

kirīṭinaṁ gadinaṁ cakriṇaṁ ca

tejo-rāśiṁ sarvato dīptimantam

paśyāmi tvāṁ durnirīkṣyaṁ samantād

dīptānalārka-dyutim aprameyam

Translation

Your form is difficult to see because of its glaring effulgence, spreading on all sides, like blazing fire or the immeasurable radiance of the sun. Yet I see this glowing form everywhere, adorned with various crowns, clubs and discs.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

The Glowing Form Everywhere

  1. 1

    Your form is difficult to see because of its dazzling brightness.

  2. 2

    Its light spreads in all directions, like blazing fire or the sun’s immeasurable radiance.

  3. 3

    Yet this glowing form is seen everywhere, adorned with various crowns, clubs and discs.

Key points from the purport

These notes cover verses 11.15–19

Arjuna speaks ‘his realisations’ of the Universal Form

To see all at one place is possible only by Krishna’s grace

Krishna is unlimited – See’s many many arms, bellies, mouths, eyes without any limit and with no end, middle and beginning (11.16)

Through Him, everything could be seen

Blazing like sun (11.17) –

Analogy: Glaring effulgence on all sides like a blazing fire or immeasurable radiance like the sun

This form is very difficult to see

Arjuna attempts to describe immeasurable – He is trying to say “You are the Supreme Lord” by the following statements: (11.18*)

You are the Supreme primal objective

Ultimate resting place of all the universe

Inexhaustible / oldest

Maintainer of eternal religion

Sun and moon are your eyes (11.19)

Further reading

Sanjaya’s Description Of Arjuna’s Vision

Arjuna beholds Krishna’s universal form with astonishment

He hesitatingly begins to describe what he sees.

First he sees all existence, immeasurable, with great radiance, in one place within this form

Second he also sees Krishna’s frightening, all destructive kala-rupa or ‘form of time’

Arjuna then asks this form, “What is Your mission? Who are You?”

Chapter 11, section II: Sanjaya’s Description Of Arjuna’s Vision
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kirīṭinamwith helmets
  2. gadinamwith maces
  3. cakriṇamwith discs
  4. caand
  5. tejaḥ-rāśimeffulgence
  6. sarvataḥon all sides
  7. dīpti-mantamglowing
  8. paśyāmiI see
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 11.17 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

Live this todayArjuna Asks About the LordA practice from BG 11.31, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.