अमी हि त्वां सुरसङ्घा विशन्ति केचिद्भीताः प्राञ्जलयो गृणन्ति। स्वस्तीत्युक्त्वा महर्षिसिद्धसङ्घाः स्तुवन्ति त्वां स्तुतिभिः पुष्कलाभिः।।11.21।।
amī hi tvām surasaṅghāḥ viśanti kecid bhītāḥ prāñjalayaḥ gṛṇanti; svastītyuktvā mahā‑ṛṣi‑siddhasanghāḥ stuvanti tvām stutibhiḥ puṣkalābhiḥ.
Translation
All the celestial beings, certainly, enter you; some, trembling with fear, offer prayers with folded hands. Having said 'svasti', the great sages and perfected beings extol you with abundant Vedic hymns.
Word Meanings
amī — all those; hi — certainly; tvām — You; sura‑saṅghāḥ — groups of demigods; viśanti — are entering; kecit — some of them; bhītāḥ — out of fear; prāñjalayaḥ — with folded hands; gṛṇanti — are offering prayers; svasti — all peace; iti — thus; uktvā — speaking; mahā‑ṛṣi — great sages; siddha‑saṅghāḥ — perfect beings; stuvanti — are singing hymns; tvām — unto You; stutibhiḥ — with prayers; puṣkalābhiḥ — Vedic hymns
Understanding the Verse
In this verse of the "Vibhuti" or "Divine Glory" section, the vision of the Universal Form reaches its crescendo as the assembled divine host reacts to Krishna's all‑encompassing manifestation. The term amī (all those) emphasizes that no class of celestial entity remains indifferent; the entire hierarchy of devas, from the highest attendants of the gods to the assembled sages, acknowledges the supreme reality.
The phrase "sura‑saṅghāḥ viśanti" depicts the groups of demigods moving toward Krishna, not in a physical sense but symbolically merging their consciousness with the divine. Their entry signifies surrender, a dissolution of individual identity into the inexhaustible source of consciousness. This merging is accompanied by "kecid bhītāḥ", some with fear. The awe‑inducing majesty of the Universal Form can overwhelm even the most exalted beings, provoking a reverential terror that is not a negative emotion but a recognition of the boundless power and inscrutable nature of the divine.
The response to this awe is measured in "prāñjalayaḥ gṛṇanti"—folded‑handed prayers. The hand‑folding gesture (añjali mudrā) embodies humility and the offering of one's heart. By praying, the gods express a desire for communion and blessings, not merely reverence. This act mirrors the human act of prayer, underscoring the universality of devotion across all planes of existence.
Subsequently, the verse introduces "svastītyuktvā"—the utterance of "svasti" (peace, well‑being). The collective chant of "svasti" by the great sages and perfected beings (mahā‑ṛṣi‑siddhasanghāḥ) functions as a cosmic benediction, a vibration that reinforces the harmonious order of creation. The sages, repositories of spiritual wisdom, and the siddhas, beings who have attained ultimate realization, together amplify this auspicious proclamation, reinforcing the divine equilibrium.
Finally, "stuvanti tvām stutibhiḥ puṣkalābhiḥ" highlights the exaltation of Krishna through abundant Vedic hymns (puṣkalas). These hymns are not merely poetic; they are sacred utterances that carry the power of mantra, sustaining the divine energy. The multitude of hymns reflects the infinite ways in which the divine can be praised, each hymn adding a layer to the radiant tapestry of devotion. Consequently, the verse conveys a profound theological message: the divine, when fully realized, becomes the object of universal worship, drawing together all tiers of spiritual hierarchy in a harmonious chorus of reverence.
Thus, Chapter 11, Verse 21, serves as a microcosm of the larger Gita narrative—showcasing the transition from individual heroism on the battlefield to the ultimate surrender to the cosmic whole. It reminds seekers that true wisdom is not only in action but also in recognizing and participating in the divine symphony that pervades all existence.
