Vishwarupa Darshana Yoga — The Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form

मदनुग्रहाय परमं गुह्यमध्यात्मसंज्ञितम्। यत्त्वयोक्तं वचस्तेन मोहोऽयं विगतो मम॥

Arjuna said: By the supremely confidential spiritual words You have spoken out of compassion for me, my delusion has been dispelled.

भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया। त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम्॥

O Lotus-eyed One, I have heard from You in detail about the origin and dissolution of beings, and also Your imperishable glory.

एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर। द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम॥

O Supreme Lord, You are just as You have described Yourself. O Supreme Person, I now wish to see Your divine majestic form.

मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो। योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयात्मानमव्ययम्॥

O Lord, if You think it is possible for me to see that form, then O Lord of Yoga, please reveal to me Your imperishable Self.

पश्य मे पार्थ रूपाणि शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः। नानाविधानि दिव्यानि नानावर्णाकृतीनि च॥

The Supreme Lord said: Behold, O Partha, My forms by the hundreds and thousands — of various kinds, divine, and of various colors and shapes.

पश्यादित्यान्वसून्रुद्रानश्विनौ मरुतस्तथा। बहून्यदृष्टपूर्वाणि पश्याश्चर्याणि भारत॥

Behold the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the twin Ashvins, and the Maruts. Behold many wonders never seen before, O Bharata.

इहैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम्। मम देहे गुडाकेश यच्चान्यद्द्रष्टुमिच्छसि॥

Behold now, O Gudakesha, the entire universe — moving and unmoving — assembled here in one place in My body, and whatever else you wish to see.

न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा। दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षुः पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम्॥

But you cannot see Me with your own eyes. Therefore I give you divine vision — behold My supreme mystic power.

एवमुक्त्वा ततो राजन्महायोगेश्वरो हरिः। दर्शयामास पार्थाय परमं रूपमैश्वरम्॥

Sanjaya said: O King, having spoken thus, Hari, the great Lord of Yoga, then showed Partha His supreme majestic form.

अनेकवक्त्रनयनमनेकाद्भुतदर्शनम्। अनेकदिव्याभरणं दिव्यानेकोद्यतायुधम्॥

With countless faces and eyes, full of countless wondrous sights, adorned with countless divine ornaments, and wielding countless divine weapons raised aloft.

दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरं दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनम्। सर्वाश्चर्यमयं देवमनन्तं विश्वतोमुखम्॥

Wearing divine garlands and garments, anointed with divine fragrances — full of all wonders, infinite, with faces in every direction.

दिवि सूर्यसहस्रस्य भवेद्युगपदुत्थिता। यदि भाः सदृशी सा स्याद्भासस्तस्य महात्मनः॥

If a thousand suns were to rise simultaneously in the sky, their radiance might perhaps resemble the effulgence of that great Soul.

तत्रैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं प्रविभक्तमनेकधा। अपश्यद्देवदेवस्य शरीरे पाण्डवस्तदा॥

Then the son of Pandu beheld the entire universe, with its many divisions, all gathered together in one place, in the body of the God of gods.

ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो हृष्टरोमा धनञ्जयः। प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं कृताञ्जलिरभाषत॥

Then Dhananjaya (Arjuna), filled with wonder and his hair standing on end, bowed his head before the Lord and spoke with folded hands.

पश्यामि देवांस्तव देव देहे सर्वांस्तथा भूतविशेषसङ्घान्। ब्रह्माणमीशं कमलासनस्थम् ऋषींश्च सर्वानुरगांश्च दिव्यान्॥

Arjuna said: O Lord, I see in Your body all the gods, various groups of special beings, Lord Brahma seated on the lotus, Lord Shiva, all the sages, and the celestial serpents.

अनेकबाहूदरवक्त्रनेत्रं पश्यामि त्वां सर्वतोऽनन्तरूपम्। नान्तं न मध्यं न पुनस्तवादिं पश्यामि विश्वेश्वर विश्वरूप॥

I see You with countless arms, stomachs, faces, and eyes — Your infinite form on every side. I see no end, no middle, and no beginning of You, O Lord of the Universe, O Universal Form.

किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रिणं च तेजोराशिं सर्वतो दीप्तिमन्तम्। पश्यामि त्वां दुर्निरीक्ष्यं समन्ताद् दीप्तानलार्कद्युतिमप्रमेयम्॥

I see You wearing a crown, bearing a mace and discus, a mass of radiance blazing on all sides — difficult to look at, with the brilliance of blazing fire and sun, immeasurable.

त्वमक्षरं परमं वेदितव्यं त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम्। त्वमव्ययः शाश्वतधर्मगोप्ता सनातनस्त्वं पुरुषो मतो मे॥

You are the Imperishable, the Supreme to be known. You are the ultimate resting place of this universe. You are the unchanging protector of eternal dharma. You are the Eternal Supreme Person.

अनादिमध्यान्तमनन्तवीर्यम् अनन्तबाहुं शशिसूर्यनेत्रम्। पश्यामि त्वां दीप्तहुताशवक्त्रं स्वतेजसा विश्वमिदं तपन्तम्॥

I see You without beginning, middle, or end — of infinite power, with infinite arms, the moon and sun as Your eyes, Your mouth like blazing fire, scorching this universe with Your own radiance.

द्यावापृथिव्योरिदमन्तरं हि व्याप्तं त्वयैकेन दिशश्च सर्वाः। दृष्ट्वाद्भुतं रूपमुग्रं तवेदं लोकत्रयं प्रव्यथितं महात्मन्॥

The space between heaven and earth and all directions are pervaded by You alone. Seeing this wondrous and terrible form of Yours, O Great Soul, the three worlds tremble with fear.

अमी हि त्वां सुरसङ्घा विशन्ति केचिद्भीताः प्राञ्जलयो गृणन्ति। स्वस्तीत्युक्त्वा महर्षिसिद्धसङ्घाः स्तुवन्ति त्वां स्तुतिभिः पुष्कलाभिः॥

Hosts of gods enter into You; some, frightened, pray with folded hands. Groups of great sages and perfected beings cry 'Svasti!' and praise You with abundant hymns.

रुद्रादित्या वसवो ये च साध्या विश्वेऽश्विनौ मरुतश्चोष्मपाश्च। गन्धर्वयक्षासुरसिद्धसङ्घा वीक्षन्ते त्वां विस्मिताश्चैव सर्वे॥

The Rudras, Adityas, Vasus, Sadhyas, Vishvadevas, Ashvins, Maruts, ancestors, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Asuras, and Siddhas — all gaze at You in amazement.

रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं महाबाहो बहुबाहूरुपादम्। बहूदरं बहुदंष्ट्राकरालं दृष्ट्वा लोकाः प्रव्यथितास्तथाहम्॥

O Mighty-armed, seeing Your great form with many faces, eyes, arms, thighs, feet, stomachs, and many terrible fangs — the worlds are frightened, and so am I.

नभःस्पृशं दीप्तमनेकवर्णं व्यात्ताननं दीप्तविशालनेत्रम्। दृष्ट्वा हि त्वां प्रव्यथितान्तरात्मा धृतिं न विन्दामि शमं च विष्णो॥

Seeing You touching the sky, blazing with many colors, mouths wide open, with blazing huge eyes — my inner soul trembles. I find neither courage nor peace, O Vishnu.

दंष्ट्राकरालानि च ते मुखानि दृष्ट्वैव कालानलसन्निभानि। दिशो न जाने न लभे च शर्म प्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास॥

Seeing Your faces with terrible fangs, blazing like the fire of cosmic dissolution, I lose my sense of direction and find no comfort. Be gracious, O Lord of gods, O Refuge of the universe.

अमी च त्वां धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राः सर्वे सहैवावनिपालसङ्घैः। भीष्मो द्रोणः सूतपुत्रस्तथासौ सहास्मदीयैरपि योधमुख्यैः॥

All the sons of Dhritarashtra, along with hosts of kings, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, and the chief warriors on our side too —

वक्त्राणि ते त्वरमाणा विशन्ति दंष्ट्राकरालानि भयानकानि। केचिद्विलग्ना दशनान्तरेषु सन्दृश्यन्ते चूर्णितैरुत्तमाङ्गैः॥

They rush into Your fearsome mouths with terrible fangs. Some are seen caught between Your teeth, their heads crushed to powder.

यथा नदीनां बहवोऽम्बुवेगाः समुद्रमेवाभिमुखा द्रवन्ति। तथा तवामी नरलोकवीरा विशन्ति वक्त्राण्यभिविज्वलन्ति॥

As many torrents of rivers flow toward the ocean, so do these heroes of the human world rush into Your blazing mouths.

यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गा विशन्ति नाशाय समृद्धवेगाः। तथैव नाशाय विशन्ति लोकास् तवापि वक्त्राणि समृद्धवेगाः॥

As moths rush with great speed into a blazing fire for their destruction, so do these beings rush with great speed into Your mouths for their destruction.

लेलिह्यसे ग्रसमानः समन्ताल् लोकान्समग्रान्वदनैर्ज्वलद्भिः। तेजोभिरापूर्य जगत्समग्रं भासस्तवोग्राः प्रतपन्ति विष्णो॥

You lick and devour all the worlds from every side with Your blazing mouths. O Vishnu, Your fierce rays fill the entire universe with radiance and scorch it.

आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपो नमोऽस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद। विज्ञातुमिच्छामि भवन्तमाद्यं न हि प्रजानामि तव प्रवृत्तिम्॥

Tell me, who are You in this fierce form? Salutations to You, O best of gods, be gracious. I wish to know You, the Primal One, for I do not understand Your purpose.

कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः। ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे येऽवस्थिताः प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः॥

The Supreme Lord said: I am mighty Time, the destroyer of worlds, now engaged in destroying them. Even without you, all the warriors in the opposing armies shall cease to exist.

तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व जित्वा शत्रून्भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम्। मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव निमित्तमात्रं भव सव्यसाचिन्॥

Therefore arise, win glory, conquer your enemies, and enjoy a prosperous kingdom. These warriors have already been slain by Me. Be merely an instrument, O Savyasachin.

द्रोणं च भीष्मं च जयद्रथं च कर्णं तथान्यानपि योधवीरान्। मया हतांस्त्वं जहि मा व्यथिष्ठा युध्यस्व जेतासि रणे सपत्नान्॥

Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna, and other brave warriors have already been slain by Me. Slay them, do not be distressed. Fight, and you shall conquer your enemies in battle.

एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं केशवस्य कृताञ्जलिर्वेपमानः किरीटी। नमस्कृत्वा भूय एवाह कृष्णं सगद्गदं भीतभीतः प्रणम्य॥

Sanjaya said: Having heard these words of Keshava, the crowned Arjuna, trembling with folded hands, bowed down and spoke again to Krishna in a choked voice, greatly frightened.

स्थाने हृषीकेश तव प्रकीर्त्या जगत्प्रहृष्यत्यनुरज्यते च। रक्षांसि भीतानि दिशो द्रवन्ति सर्वे नमस्यन्ति च सिद्धसङ्घाः॥

Arjuna said: It is right, O Hrishikesha, that the world rejoices and is devoted to Your praise. Demons flee in fear in all directions, and all the hosts of Siddhas bow before You.

कस्माच्च ते न नमेरन्महात्मन् गरीयसे ब्रह्मणोऽप्यादिकर्त्रे। अनन्त देवेश जगन्निवास त्वमक्षरं सदसत्तत्परं यत्॥

And why should they not bow to You, O Great Soul — who are greater even than Brahma? O Infinite One, O Lord of gods — You are the Imperishable, the being, the non-being, and that which is beyond both.

त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराणस् त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम्। वेत्तासि वेद्यं च परं च धाम त्वया ततं विश्वमनन्तरूप॥

You are the Primal God, the Ancient Person, the supreme resting place. You are the Knower, the Known, and the Supreme Abode. The universe is pervaded by You, O Infinite Form.

वायुर्यमोऽग्निर्वरुणः शशाङ्कः प्रजापतिस्त्वं प्रपितामहश्च। नमो नमस्तेऽस्तु सहस्रकृत्वः पुनश्च भूयोऽपि नमो नमस्ते॥

You are Vayu, Yama, Agni, Varuna, the Moon, Prajapati, and the great-grandfather. Salutations to You a thousand times, and again and again — salutations to You!

नमः पुरस्तादथ पृष्ठतस्ते नमोऽस्तु ते सर्वत एव सर्व। अनन्तवीर्यामितविक्रमस्त्वं सर्वं समाप्नोषि ततोऽसि सर्वः॥

Salutations from the front, from behind, and from all sides, O All! You pervade everything, and therefore You are everything.

सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यदुक्तं हे कृष्ण हे यादव हे सखेति। अजानता महिमानं तवेदं मया प्रमादात्प्रणयेन वापि॥

Whatever I have said carelessly, thinking of You as a friend — 'O Krishna,' 'O Yadava,' 'O friend' — not knowing this greatness of Yours, out of negligence or affection —

यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसि विहारशय्यासनभोजनेषु। एकोऽथवाप्यच्युत तत्समक्षं तत्क्षामये त्वामहमप्रमेयम्॥

And for whatever disrespect in jest — while playing, resting, sitting, or eating — whether alone or before others, O Achyuta, I seek Your forgiveness, O Immeasurable One.

पितासि लोकस्य चराचरस्य त्वमस्य पूज्यश्च गुरुर्गरीयान्। न त्वत्समोऽस्त्यभ्यधिकः कुतोऽन्यो लोकत्रयेऽप्यप्रतिमप्रभाव॥

You are the father of this world, its most venerable teacher, the greatest. There is none equal to You in the three worlds — how then could there be one greater? O Lord of incomparable power!

तस्मात्प्रणम्य प्रणिधाय कायं प्रसादये त्वामहमीशमीड्यम्। पितेव पुत्रस्य सखेव सख्युः प्रियः प्रियायार्हसि देव सोढुम्॥

Therefore prostrating, I bow and seek Your grace, O praiseworthy Lord. As a father forgives a son, a friend a friend, a lover the beloved — please, O Lord, forgive me.

अदृष्टपूर्वं हृषितोऽस्मि दृष्ट्वा भयेन च प्रव्यथितं मनो मे। तदेव मे दर्शय देवरूपं प्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास॥

I am delighted to have seen what was never seen before, yet my mind is distressed with fear. O Lord of gods, O Refuge of the universe, be gracious — show me that gentle divine form.

किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रहस्तम् इच्छामि त्वां द्रष्टुमहं तथैव। तेनैव रूपेण चतुर्भुजेन सहस्रबाहो भव विश्वमूर्ते॥

I wish to see You as before — with crown, mace, and discus — in that same four-armed form. O thousand-armed One, O Universal Form, please assume that form.

मया प्रसन्नेन तवार्जुनेदं रूपं परं दर्शितमात्मयोगात्। तेजोमयं विश्वमनन्तमाद्यं यन्मे त्वदन्येन न दृष्टपूर्वम्॥

The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, being pleased with you, I have shown you by My own yogic power this supreme, radiant, universal, infinite, primal form — which no one before you has ever seen.

न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानैर् न च क्रियाभिर्न तपोभिरुग्रैः। एवंरूपः शक्य अहं नृलोके द्रष्टुं त्वदन्येन कुरुप्रवीर॥

Neither by Vedic study, sacrifices, charity, rituals, nor severe austerities can I be seen in this form in the human world by anyone other than you, O best of Kuru warriors.

मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो दृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्ममेदम्। व्यपेतभीः प्रीतमनाः पुनस्त्वं तदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य॥

Do not be distressed or bewildered by this terrible form of Mine. Free from fear, with a pleased mind, behold once again My familiar form.

इत्यर्जुनं वासुदेवस्तथोक्त्वा स्वकं रूपं दर्शयामास भूयः। आश्वासयामास च भीतमेनं भूत्वा पुनः सौम्यवपुर्महात्मा॥

Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus, Vasudeva showed His own form again. The great-souled One, assuming His gentle form, consoled the frightened Arjuna.

दृष्ट्वेदं मानुषं रूपं तव सौम्यं जनार्दन। इदानीमस्मि संवृत्तः सचेताः प्रकृतिं गतः॥

Arjuna said: O Janardana, seeing this gentle human form of Yours, I am now composed. My mind is restored, and I have returned to my natural state.

सुदुर्दर्शमिदं रूपं दृष्टवानसि यन्मम। देवा अप्यस्य रूपस्य नित्यं दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः॥

The Supreme Lord said: This form which you have seen is very difficult to behold. Even the gods constantly yearn for a vision of this form.

नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया। शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा॥

Neither by the Vedas, nor by austerity, charity, nor sacrifice can I be seen in this form as you have seen Me.

भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन। ज्ञातुं द्रष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परन्तप॥

But by exclusive devotion alone, O Arjuna, can I be known, seen, and entered into in truth, O scorcher of foes.

मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः सङ्गवर्जितः। निर्वैरः सर्वभूतेषु यः स मामेति पाण्डव॥

O Pandava, he who works for Me, regards Me as the Supreme, is devoted to Me, free from attachment, and bears no enmity toward any being — he comes to Me.