कि�रीटिनं गदिनं चक्रहस्त मिच्छामि त्वां द्रष्टुमहं तथैव। तेनैव रूपेण चतुर्भुजेन सहस्रबाहो भव विश्वमूर्ते।।११.४६।।
kirīṭinam gadinam cakra‑hastam icchāmi tvām draṣṭum ahaṃ tathā eva. tena eva rūpeṇa catuḥ‑bhujena sahasra‑bāho bhava viśva‑mūrte
Translation
O Thousand‑armed One, though You are the universal form, I desire to see You in Your four‑armed aspect, bearing the mace and disc and wearing a crown.
Word Meanings
kirīṭinam — with helmet; gadinam — with club; cakra‑hastam — disc‑handed; icchāmi — I wish; tvām — you; draṣṭum — to see; ahaṃ — I; tathā eva — likewise; tena eva — by that very; rūpeṇa — in form; catuḥ‑bhujena — four‑armed; sahasra‑bāho — thousand‑armed; bhava — become; viśva‑mūrte — universal‑form
Understanding the Verse
In Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita, the cosmic vision (vishvarupa) is revealed to Arjuna by Lord Krishna. The verse 11.46 captures a poignant moment when the awe‑struck warrior, after beholding the infinite, multifaceted manifestation of the Divine, petitions Krishna to display a more familiar form.
The opening words "kirīṭinam gadinam" describe Krishna’s majestic crown and his club, symbols of sovereignty and martial power. "Cakra‑hastam" denotes the discus‑hand, the Sudarshana chakra, representing the destruction of ignorance. By invoking these attributes, Arjuna acknowledges the divine’s protective and destructive capacities, essential for sustaining dharma.
The verb "icchāmi" (I wish) reflects Arjuna’s deep yearning for a personal connection. Having witnessed the overwhelming universal form, he longs for a more approachable aspect, "catuḥ‑bhujena" – the four‑armed form familiar from earlier chapters, where Krishna holds the bow, arrow, club, and discus. This request is not a denial of the cosmic vision but an expression of devotion, seeking a form through which love and reverence can be directed.
"Tathā eva" (in that very way) and "tena eva" (by that very) emphasize continuity. Arjuna does not ask for a new incarnation; he wishes to see Krishna in the same divine essence he has already perceived, but expressed through the four‑armed iconography. This underscores the Gita’s teaching that the Divine can manifest in countless forms while remaining the same immutable reality.
The concluding appeal, "sahasra‑bāho bhava viśva‑mūrte," addresses Krishna as "thousand‑armed" and "universal‑form," reminding both the deity and the seeker of the infinite nature of the Supreme. Even while requesting a specific manifestation, Arjuna reaffirms his recognition of the boundless, all‑pervading presence of God. The verse thus illustrates the paradoxical relationship between the infinite and the finite: the devotee can behold the cosmos yet still seek intimacy in a form that resonates with the heart.
Philosophically, this passage highlights the Gita’s central theme that the Divine transcends form yet willingly assumes forms for the benefit of sentient beings. Arjuna’s request embodies the human desire for tangible relationship with the ineffable. It teaches that devotion (bhakti) can flourish alongside the realization of universal truth, and that the path to spiritual fulfillment accommodates both awe‑inspiring vision and personal love.
In practice, reciting this verse can inspire seekers to balance reverence for the vastness of the cosmos with an intimate, personal connection to the Divine. It reminds us that while the Supreme pervades all, we are invited to relate to Him in ways that nurture our inner devotion, fostering both humility before the infinite and heartfelt love for the personal aspect of the Divine.
