भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया। त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम्।।11.2।।
bhavāpyayau hi bhūtānāṁ śrutau vistaraśo mayā tvattaḥ kamala-patra-ākṣa māhātmyaṁ api ca avyayam
Translation
I have heard from You in detail about the appearance and disappearance of all living beings, O Lotus‑eyed One, and also about Your eternal magnificence.
Word Meanings
bhava — appearance; apyayau — disappearance; hi — certainly; bhūtānām — of all living entities; śrutau — have been heard; vistaraśaḥ — in detail; mayā — by me; tvattaḥ — from You; kamala-patra-ākṣa — O lotus‑eyed one; māhātmyaṁ — glories; api — also; ca — and; avyayam — inexhaustible.
Understanding the Verse
In this verse Arjuna continues his reverential inquiry to Lord Krishna, the divine charioteer, seeking a comprehensive understanding of the cosmic processes that govern all beings. By asking about 'bhava' (appearance) and 'apaya' (disappearance), Arjuna is essentially probing the nature of birth, death, and rebirth that pervade the material world. The explicit mention of 'śrutau' (have been heard) underscores that this knowledge is not a fresh revelation but is rooted in the sacred teachings of the Vedas and the sages who have previously elucidated these mysteries.
The phrase 'vistaraśo mayā' (in detail by me) highlights the depth of Krishna's discourse. Krishna does not merely provide a superficial overview; He offers a systematic, exhaustive exposition that encompasses the intricate mechanisms of creation, preservation, and dissolution. This level of detail serves a dual purpose: it educates the seeker about the external workings of the universe and simultaneously guides the inner transformation required to recognize the soul's immutable nature beyond these cycles.
Addressing Krishna as 'kamala‑patra‑ākṣa' (lotus‑eyed) is significant. The lotus, rising pristine from murky waters, symbolizes purity and spiritual illumination untouched by worldly contamination. By invoking this epithet, Arjuna acknowledges Krishna's divine vision that perceives the truth beyond illusion (maya). It also reflects the devotee’s aspiration to develop a comparable clarity of perception—seeing the eternal reality amidst the transient play of forms.
The concluding segment, 'māhātmyaṁ api ca avyayam', expands the scope of inquiry from the temporal drama of life and death to the timeless grandeur of the Divine. 'Māhātmya' refers to the supreme glories, the boundless attributes that define Krishna's cosmic stature—such as omniscience, omnipotence, and infinite compassion. By adding 'avyayam' (inexhaustible), Arjuna acknowledges that no matter how extensive Krishna’s exposition may be, the divine brilliance remains limitless and beyond complete human comprehension. This humility anchors the devotee’s attitude: reverence coupled with the acceptance that the mystery of the Divine is infinite.
Thus, this verse functions as a bridge between metaphysical curiosity and devotional surrender. It encourages seekers to pursue knowledge (jnana) while simultaneously cultivating bhakti (devotion), recognizing that intellectual understanding alone cannot capture the full expanse of divine magnificence. The verse also sets the stage for Krishna’s forthcoming revelation of his universal form (Vishvarupa), where the interplay of birth, death, and eternal glory will be vividly displayed, consolidating the thematic progression of Chapter 11.
