द्यावापृथिव्योरिदमन्तरं हि व्याप्तं त्वयैकेन दिशश्च सर्वाः। दृष्ट्वाऽद्भुतं रूपमुग्रं तवेदं लोकत्रयं प्रव्यथितं महात्मन्।।11.20।।
dyau‑ā‑pṛthivyor idam‑antara‑hi vyāpta‑tvayai‑kena diśaḥ‑ca sarvāḥ; dṛṣṭvā‑adbhuta‑rūpam‑ugraṁ‑tavedaṁ loka‑trayaṁ‑pravyathitaṁ mahātmānaḥ
Translation
The space between heaven and earth and all the directions is pervaded by You alone. Seeing Your wondrous and terrible form, I see the three worlds trembling in fear, O Greatest of all beings.
Word Meanings
dyau — from outer space; ā-pṛthivyoḥ — to the earth; idam — this; antaram — between; hi — certainly; vyāptam — pervaded; tvayā — by You; ekena — alone; diśaḥ — directions; ca — and; sarvāḥ — all; dṛṣṭvā — by seeing; adbhutaṃ — wonderful; rūpam — form; ugrat — terrible; tava — Your; idam — this; loka — the planetary systems; trayaṃ — three; pravyathitaṃ — perturbed; mahā-ātman — O great one.
Understanding the Verse
In this pivotal moment of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna beholds the divine universal form (Vishvarūpa) of Krishna, a vision that transcends ordinary perception. The verse opens by declaring that the entire cosmos—"dyau" (the heavens), "ā‑pṛthivyaḥ" (the earth), and the "antaḥ" (the space that separates them)—is saturated with Krishna's presence. This pervasion is not merely a spatial occupation; it signifies that the divine essence permeates every layer of existence, making the distinction between creator and creation dissolve. The phrase "tvayair ekena" (by You alone) underlines the singularity of the divine source, affirming that there is no multiplicity of powers, only the all‑encompassing will of the Supreme.
Arjuna's reaction is captured in "dṛṣṭvā adbhutaṁ rūpam ugraṁ": he observes a form that is both "adbhuta" (wonderful) and "ugra" (terrible). This duality reflects the awe‑inspiring magnitude of the vision—beauty interwoven with dread. The wondrous aspect reveals the infinite, luminous facets of the divine, while the terrible aspect conveys the overwhelming power that can destabilize even the most steadfast beings. This paradoxical experience teaches that true divinity encompasses both compassion and the fierce force that upholds cosmic order.
The subsequent line, "lokatrayaṁ pravyathitaṁ", expands the impact of this revelation beyond the individual. The "lokatrayam" (three worlds—heaven, earth, and the nether realm) tremble, indicating that the universal form influences all spheres of reality. The trembling is not a sign of destruction but a response to the realization of the underlying unity that binds the macrocosm. It illustrates how divine consciousness can awaken latent potentials within all beings, prompting a shift from ignorance to enlightened awareness.
Finally, Arjuna addresses Krishna as "mahātmānaḥ" (O Great‑souled One), acknowledging the supreme stature of the deity. This appellation encapsulates reverence, surrender, and the recognition that the divine intellect transcends human limitations. By the end of the verse, the battlefield itself becomes a stage for cosmic revelation, turning a physical conflict into a profound spiritual awakening. Arjuna’s vision serves as a reminder that the apparent separateness of life’s challenges is an illusion; beneath all forms lies the singular, all‑pervading reality that governs the universe.
Thus, Chapter 11, Verse 20, functions as a theological fulcrum, illustrating the transformative power of divine vision. It teaches seekers that perceiving the universal form dissolves the boundaries of ego, leading to humility, awe, and a renewed commitment to align oneself with the infinite purpose that pervades every corner of existence.
