मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो दृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्ममेदम्। व्यपेतभीः प्रीतमनाः पुनः त्वं तदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य।।11.49।।
mā te vyathā mā ca vimūḍhabhāvo dṛṣṭvā rūpaṁ ghora‑mīdr̥ṅ‑mam edam | vyapetabhīḥ prītamanāḥ punaḥ tvam tadeva me rūpam idaṁ prapaśya
Translation
Be neither afraid nor bewildered on seeing this terrible form of Mine. Being free from all fear and with a cheerful mind, behold Me again; that indeed is My form.
Word Meanings
mā — let it not be; te — unto you; vyathā — trouble; mā — let it not be; ca — also; vimūḍha‑bhāvaḥ — bewilderment; dṛṣṭvā — by seeing; rūpam — form; ghora‑mīdr̥ṅ‑mam — terrible form; idam — this; vyapetabhīḥ — free from all fear; prītamanāḥ — pleased in mind; punaḥ — again; tvam — you; tat — that; eva — thus; me — My; rūpam — form; idam — this; prapaśya — just see
Understanding the Verse
In this pivotal moment of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna has just revealed His cosmic, universal form (Vishvarupa) to the bewildered Arjuna. The vision is overwhelming; Arjuna perceives countless faces, arms, and terrifying aspects of the divine that surpass ordinary human comprehension. The enormity of this spectacle can induce both fear and confusion, emotions that could paralyze a seeker on the spiritual path. Krishna anticipates this reaction and offers a compassionate reassurance: 'mā te vyathā mā ca vimūḍhabhāvo' – "Do not let yourself be troubled nor bewildered." This instruction serves not merely as a calming directive but as a profound teaching on the nature of divine revelation. By urging Arjuna to let go of fear, Krishna emphasizes that the divine reality, however awe‑inspiring, is ultimately benevolent and beyond the dualities of dread and delight.
The verse continues with 'vyapetabhīḥ prītamanāḥ', highlighting the ideal state of a devotee who, having transcended fear ('vyapetabhīḥ'), cultivates a heart filled with love and joy ('prītamanāḥ'). This transformation is essential for perceiving the divine form not as a source of terror but as an expression of infinite compassion. When the mind is purified by love, the terrifying aspects of the cosmic form lose their power to disturb, revealing instead the underlying unity and purpose of creation. Krishna thus instructs Arjuna to adopt this loving awareness before he attempts to gaze again upon the divine manifestation.
The closing directive, 'punaḥ tvam tadeva me rūpam idaṁ prapaśya', invites Arjuna to behold once more the exact form of Krishna that He has shown. It is a call to see the same divine reality, but now through the lens of a fearless, love‑filled consciousness. The repetition underscores the importance of inner readiness: the same external form can be perceived either as terrifying or as the embodiment of divine love, depending entirely on the internal state of the observer. This principle applies universally; any spiritual seeker encountering the profound truths of the Self must first cleanse the heart of fear and confusion to recognize the divine presence within.
Thus, Verse 11.49 serves as both a psychological guide and a theological affirmation. It teaches that ultimate reality, while potentially overwhelming, is approachable when the seeker cultivates fearlessness and devotion. By mastering these inner qualities, the seeker can continuously experience the divine presence without being shaken by its vastness, thereby progressing steadily on the path of self‑realization.
