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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
11.5111.53

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 11.52

Pure devotion and personal realization

Īśvara · God

श्रीभगवानुवाच

सुदुर्दर्शमिदं रूपं दृष्टवानसि यन्मम ।

देवा अप्यस्य रूपस्य नित्यं दर्शनकाङ्‍‍क्षिण: ॥ ५२ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

su-durdarśam idaṁ rūpaṁ

dṛṣṭavān asi yan mama

devā apy asya rūpasya

nityaṁ darśana-kāṅkṣiṇaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, this form of Mine you are now seeing is very difficult to behold. Even the demigods are ever seeking the opportunity to see this form, which is so dear.

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

Kṛṣṇa’s Dear Personal Form

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna that His form is very difficult to see; even the demigods always long to see it.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa’s two-handed form is completely spiritual and even harder to see than His universal form. He is seen only when He reveals Himself.

  3. 3

    Hear about Kṛṣṇa repeatedly from spiritual authorities and serve Him with devotion, so He becomes dear to you.

Key points from the purport

Two-handed form is more difficult to see than the Universal Form (indicated by the word ‘Su- durdarsam’) – even demigods desire to see this form which is so dear

a

Tinge of bhakti is enough for Universal Form –

Universal Form may be seen by adding a tinge of bhakti to activities like Vedic sacrifices, penances, Vedic study, jnana etc.

Without a tinge of Bhakti it is not possible

b

Krishna’s two-handed form is still more difficult to see

Even for demigods like Lord Shiva or Lord Brahma

e.g. Demigods were eager to see Krishna in the womb of Devaki

Foolish mentality (Ref. Bg. 9.11)

They deride Him as ordinary

May offer respect not to Him but to the impersonal “something” within Him, but these are all non-sensical postures

Krishna’s body is described in ‘Brahma Samhita’ and the ‘Bhagavad-gita’ as completely spiritual

His body is never like material body FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 11.52 continued…

c

Different processes to know Absolute Truth

Materialistic calculation of the Supreme Lord

Consider Krishna to be a great historical personality and a very learned philosopher

But an ordinary man

Even though He was so powerful, but had to accept a material body

Ultimately Absolute Truth is impersonal, therefore they think that from His impersonal feature, He assumed a personal feature attached to material nature

Speculative calculation of the Supreme Lord

Those are in search of knowledge also speculate on Krishna

Consider Him to be less important than Universal form of the Supreme

Think Personal form of the Supreme is something imaginary

Believe, in ultimate issue – Absolute Truth is not a person

Transcendental Process – described in Bg. Chapter 4

Actual Vedic Process – ‘Repeated hearing from authorities’

Also when Krishna reveals by removing yoga-maya

Ref. Vedic Literature: For one who is surrendered soul, Absolute Truth can actually be understood

Spiritual eyes can be opened by ‘continuous Krishna Consciousness’ and ‘devotional service’

Such revelation is not possible even for demigods

Advanced demigods are always hoping to see Krishna in His 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. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Supreme Personality of Godhead said
  2. su-durdarśamvery difficult to see
  3. idamthis
  4. rūpamform
  5. dṛṣṭavān asias you have seen
  6. yatwhich
  7. mamaof Mine
  8. devāḥthe demigods
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 11.52 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

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 11.53Pure devotion and personal realizationBG 11.54Pure devotion and personal realizationBG 3.30Offer every action to KrishnaBG 6.47The highest yogi is devoted
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