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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 ›
Krishna’s natureChapter 11 · The Universal Form
11.4811.50

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 11.49

Krishna restores His gentle personal form

Īśvara · God

मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो

दृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्‍ममेदम् ।

व्यपेतभी: प्रीतमना: पुनस्त्वं

तदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य ॥ ४९ ॥

mā te vyathā mā ca vimūḍha-bhāvo

dṛṣṭvā rūpaṁ ghoram īdṛṅ mamedam

vyapeta-bhīḥ prīta-manāḥ punas tvaṁ

tad eva me rūpam idaṁ prapaśya

Translation

You have been perturbed and bewildered by seeing this horrible feature of Mine. Now let it be finished. My devotee, be free again from all disturbances. With a peaceful mind you can now see the form you desire.

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

Peace and Loving Service

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna to be free from fear and peacefully see the form he desires.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that devotees prefer Kṛṣṇa’s personal form because they can exchange loving feelings with Him.

  3. 3

    Seek to offer Kṛṣṇa respectful worship and loving service.

Key points from the purport

‘Let this vision be over’ — Krishna says, “This fearsome form has disturbed your mind, therefore let this vision be over”

a

One of the purposes of the Universal form — Krishna wanted to show that Bhisma, Drona etc. have already been killed by Him

Because they were silent when Draupadi was disrobed (Thus they deserve to be killed)

Also, this was shown to Arjuna because devotees are always peaceful and cannot perform such horrible action

b

Why are devotees not interested in the Universal form

Because it does not allow them to reciprocate loving feelings

A devotee either wants to offer respectful worshipful feelings or

Reciprocate in loving service to Supreme Personality of Godhead in two-handed form

Further reading

Only Pure Devotees See Krishna’s Two-Armed Form

Krishna withdraws His Universal Form

Krishna shows four-armed form

Finally shows two-armed form

Krishna’s most wonderful two-armed form can be directly seen only by pure undivided devotional service

Chapter 11, section V: Only Pure Devotees See Krishna’s Two-Armed Form
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mālet it not be
  2. teunto you
  3. vyathātrouble
  4. mālet it not be
  5. caalso
  6. vimūḍha-bhāvaḥbewilderment
  7. dṛṣṭvāby seeing
  8. rūpamform
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhagavān, vibhūti.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 11.49 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to krishna’s nature?

Practice

Notice something excellent and see it as His opulence.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 11 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 11.47Krishna restores His gentle personal formBG 11.48Krishna restores His gentle personal formBG 18.78Sañjaya’s concluding certainty
Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Original Two-Handed FormA practice from BG 11.51, close to this verse

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

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction