नभःस्पृशं दीप्तमनेकवर्णं व्यात्ताननं दीप्तविशालनेत्रम्। दृष्ट्वा हि त्वां प्रव्यथितान्तरात्मा धृतिं न विन्दामि शमं च विष्णो।।11.24।।
nabhaspṛśaṁ dīptam anekavarṇam vyāttānanaṁ dīptaviśālanetram | dṛṣṭvā hi tvām pravyathita antarātmā dhṛtiṁ na vindāmi śamam ca viṣṇo ||11.24||
Translation
O Lord Vishnu, seeing Your form touching the sky, effulgent in many colors, with mouths wide open and enormous blazing eyes, my heart is trembling with fear. I have lost all courage and peace of mind.
Word Meanings
nabhaḥ-spṛśam — touching the sky; dīptam — glowing; anekavarṇam — many colors; vyātta — open; ānanam — mouths; dīpta — glowing; viśāla — very great; netram — eyes; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; hi — certainly; tvām — you; pravyathita — perturbed; antar‑ātmā — within the soul; dhṛtiṁ — steadiness; na — not; vindāmi — I have; śam — mental tranquillity; ca — also; viṣṇo — O Lord Vishnu
Understanding the Verse
In this poignant verse of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna confronts the awe‑inspiring, cosmic manifestation of the Divine that Krishna reveals on the battlefield. The description begins with "नभःस्पृशं" (nabhaḥ‑spṛśam), indicating a form that reaches or even touches the heavens, underscoring the limitless expansion of the divine body. This celestial reach conveys that the Supreme is not confined by earthly dimensions; instead, He pervades the entire sky, symbolizing the boundless nature of consciousness.
The adjective "दीप्तम्" (dīptam) – glowing – recurs twice, first describing the overall luminance of the form and later the eyes ("दीप्तवִशलनेत्रम्"). The double emphasis on radiance emphasizes an inner, divine light that outshines any mortal illumination, hinting at the spiritual illumination that can dispel ignorance. The phrase "अनेकवर्णं" (anekavarṇam) – many colors – evokes the spectrum of creation, the myriad hues of the universe manifesting simultaneously within the single form. This multiplicity reflects the Gita’s teaching that all diversity is rooted in one unchanging reality.
"व्यात्ताननं" (vyāttānanaṁ) – open mouths – and "दीप्तवִशलनेत्रम्" (dīptaviśālanetram) – enormous blazing eyes – depict a visage that is both terrifying and majestic. The open mouths suggest a roar that can devour worlds, while the vast eyes symbolize all‑seeing awareness, akin to the divine eye that perceives every thought, action, and destiny without judgment. Arjuna’s perception of these terrifying attributes triggers a profound psychological reaction. The verb "दृष्ट्वा" (dṛṣṭvā) – seeing – frames the moment of direct encounter, after which Arjuna admits "हि त्वां प्रव्यथितान्तरात्मा" (hi tvām pravyathita antarātmā) – his inner soul is perturbed. The inner self, usually composed, is now shaken, illustrating how confronting the absolute can destabilize even the most disciplined mind.
Arjuna’s confession "धृतिं न विन्दामि शम् च" (dhṛtiṁ na vindāmi śamam ca) translates to a loss of steadiness (dhṛti) and mental tranquility (śam). This admission is crucial: it reveals that true devotion includes acknowledging one's vulnerability before the divine. Rather than being a sign of weakness, this openness paves the way for surrender – the next step in Arjuna’s spiritual evolution. The verse culminates with a direct address "विष्णो" (viṣṇo), invoking Vishnu’s protective aspect, reminding the reader that even in fear, the devotee remains under the refuge of the Supreme. Thus, this verse serves as a bridge between awe and surrender, illustrating the transformative power of divine vision on the human psyche.
From a broader philosophical standpoint, this passage underscores the Gita’s core message: the external battlefield mirrors the inner battlefield of doubt, fear, and attachment. By confronting the cosmic form, Arjuna experiences a crisis that forces him to transcend personal ego and recognize the All‑pervading reality. The loss of courage and peace is not a defeat but a necessary prelude to the surrender that eventually leads to Krishna’s teachings of selfless action (karma yoga) and the realization of the immutable Self (ātman). In this light, 11.24 becomes a masterstroke in the Gita’s narrative, illustrating that true wisdom arises only after the mind is stripped of its pretensions and openly encounters the infinite brilliance of the Divine.
