The Cosmic Form — Vishwaroopa Darshana Yoga

Arjuna. This, for my soul's peace, hast Thou declared to me The mystery of the Supreme — Adhyatma, The very Self of Selves! — and, by Thy grace, My darkness is dispelled. The birth of things And death of things are known to me, from Thee, O Lotus-eyed! and I have also heard Thy great unfailing Majesty. Fain would I see, As Thou Thyself declar'st it, Sovereign Lord! The form of Thee, O Purushottama! If this can be, if I may bear the sight, Make Thyself visible, Lord of all Yogas! Show me Thy very Self, the Eternal God!

Krishna. Gaze then, thou Son of Pritha! I manifest For thee those hundred thousand shapes divine In countless forms, in countless hues. Behold! The Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Ashwins twain, And Maruts! See wonders, Prince, never seen Before! Behold, within this body of Mine, The whole world — moving and unmoving — and Whatever else thy heart desires to see! But with the eyes of flesh thou canst not gaze Upon My form: therefore I give thee sense Divine. Have other eyes, new light! And, look! This is My glory, unveiled to mortal sight!

Sanjaya. Then, O King! the God, so saying, Stood, in his supreme and shining shape, And showed the Son of Pritha, the All-form! With mouths unnumbered, with unnumbered eyes, With vast, unnumbered marvels — blazing all With heavenly ornament, with heavenly arms Upraised — with garlands and with robes divine, Anointed with celestial unguents, decked With every marvel, God of gods, infinite, All-facing, endless!

If the radiance of a thousand suns Were to burst at once into the sky, That would be like the splendour of the Mighty One — That boundless God! Arjuna saw in that great form The whole wide universe in one, dividing And yet united — living in the Body Of the God of gods.

Then the Conqueror of Sloth, Full of amazement, thrilled in every fibre, Bowed down his head in reverent awe, and clasped His palms, and spake to God.

Arjuna. Yea! I have seen, O God of gods! Thy form! I see the gods within Thy god-body; I see Brahma, the Creator, throned upon His lotus-seat; I see the Rishis all And serpents, ancient, wondrous, shining! I see Thee, with Thine infinite arms and breasts and eyes And faces — everywhere I look, I see Thee, Lord of form — Thy form on every side, No end, no middle, and no starting-place! Crown and mace and discus — clad in radiance, Dazzling, immeasurable, sun-bright, Thou blazest! Hard to gaze upon, undying!

Thou art the Primal God, the Ancient One! Thou art the last asylum of this universe! Thou art the Knower and the Known, the Dwelling Supreme! In Thy vast form the world is filled! Vayu Thou art, and Yama, Agni, Moon, Varuna, the Progenitor, the Great-Grandsire! Hail to Thee, hail! a thousand times all hail! Hail to Thee, hail! again, again, all hail! Hail unto Thee from before and from behind! Hail unto Thee on every side, O All! For Thy power unmeasured, Thy glory unending, Thou holdest all — nay, Thou Thyself art All!

If, ever, thinking Thee my friend and comrade, I have been bold to call, "O Krishna! Ho!" Heedless of Thy Majesty, in careless love — If, in the merry play, or at the feast, At rest, in sitting, or before these others, I did not honour Thee — forgive it, Lord! Immeasurable, unfathomed, limitless!

Father of this World — of things that move And things unmoved — Thou art the worshipped One! Thou the most high to honour! None is like Thee! None equal, in the triple worlds! How then Another greater? Therefore I bow down, Prostrate my body, and implore Thy grace, Adorable Lord! As father to his son, As friend to friend, as lover to beloved, Bear with me, God! I see what none hath seen!

I am glad, having beheld what never yet Was seen — yet is my heart still shaken With terror! Show me, Lord, that other form! Be gracious, Ruler of the Gods! The World Is troubled at Thy dreadful face! I see The hosts of kings and warriors rushing headlong Into Thy mouths, like moths into a flame! Some, caught between Thy gnashing teeth, appear With heads crushed. As the rivers, running full, Roll to the unfathomed deep, the home of ocean, So these great heroes flood Thy fiery mouths!

As moths with hurrying haste fly into a blaze, Fly to their fiery death, so do Thy people Rush into Thy tremendous mouths, and perish! Thou lappest them with flaming tongues! Thy splendour, Rays all-consuming, fills the Universe With glory; scorching everywhere! Tell me Who art Thou in this form of terror? Homage Unto Thee, God of gods! Be gracious! Fain Would I behold Thee as Thou wert before. I know Thee not; I cannot read Thy purpose!

Krishna. I am the Time grown old, destroying all the worlds, Employed in fetching back the generations. कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः। Even without thee, none of all these warriors Ranked here in serried ranks shall live! Not one! Therefore, arise! Gain glory! Smite thy foes! Enjoy the kingdom — rich, that waits for thee! These, by My hand, are slain already. Be My instrument, thou mighty Savyasachin!

Drona, and Bhishma, Jayadratha, and Karna, And all the other warriors born to die — Slay, being already slain! Fear not! Fight! Thou shalt Conquer thy enemies in battle! So It shall be!

Sanjaya. Hearing those words of Keshava, the Prince, With palms joined trembling, making namaskar, Bowing his head, with faltering speech, as one Overwhelmed with awe, thus worshipped yet again.

Arjuna. Rightly, Hrishikesha! the world delights To honour Thee and is made glad by Thee! The Rakshasas flee in fear on every side, And all the hosts of Siddhas bow before Thee! And should they not, O Mightiest? Thou who art Greater than Brahma — the first Maker! Infinite! Lord of the Gods! Abode of all the worlds! Thou, the Undying, the Existent, the Beyond! Solve me this wonder! I would see again That shape of Thine — four-armed — with crown and mace! Return, O Thousand-armed! to that known form Thou showest to Thy friends and worshippers!

Krishna. Yea! it was wonderful and terrible To view Me as thou hast done, Dear Prince! The gods themselves long always to behold This form thou hast beheld. But not by Vedas, Nor by sacrifice, nor study, nor by alms, Nor yet by rites, nor by severe austerities, Can I be seen as thou hast seen Me here. Only by fullest love — and love alone — Men reach Me, O dear Prince! and know Me, and Enter into My being. He who does My work, who gives himself to Me, who clings To Me, who loves Me, freed from all attachment, Free from enmity to any being — He cometh unto Me, O Pandava!

Sanjaya. So speaking to Arjuna, Vaasudeva Assumed again His gentle shape, and calmed The trembling hero with the countenance Of grace and peace restored. And Arjuna, Beholding Krishna in his natural form, Breathed freely, and his words came forth once more.

Arjuna. Beholding Thee again in gentle guise, O Janardana! my heart knows comfort now, My mind is calmed; I am myself again!