इहैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम्। मम देहे गुडाकेश यच्चान्यद्द्रष्टुमिच्छसि।।11.7।।
iha‑eka‑sthaṁ jagat‑kṛtsnaṁ paśyād yaḥ sacarācaram. mama‑dehe guḍākeśa yac ca anyat draṣṭum icchasi
Translation
Behold now, Arjuna, the entire universe, with everything moving and non‑moving, assembled together in My universal form. Whatever else you wish to see, observe it all within this universal form.
Word Meanings
iha — in this; eka‑stha — in one place; jagat — the universe; kṛtsnam — completely; paśya — see; adya — immediately; ca — and; cara — the moving; acara — the non‑moving; mama — My; dehe — in this body; guḍākeśa — O Arjuna; yat — that which; ca — also; anyat — other; draṣṭum — to see; icchasi — you wish;
Understanding the Verse
In this pivotal verse of the Bhagavad‑Gītā, Lord Krishna, addressing the bewildered Arjuna, reveals the divine vision of His cosmic manifestation. The phrase “iha‑eka‑sthaṁ” (in one place here) emphasizes that the whole creation – the innumerable worlds, beings, and phenomena – is concentrated in a single, all‑encompassing form. This image shatters the ordinary perception of separateness, inviting the seeker to recognize the unity underlying the apparent multiplicity of life.
Krishna’s description of the universe as “kṛtsna” (completely) underscores the totality of His presence. Nothing is omitted – from the smallest atom to the grandest galaxy, from the animate to the inanimate – all are manifest in His divine body. The words “sacarācaram” (the moving and non‑moving) highlight that even the most subtle forces, such as time, space, and consciousness, are integrated within this form. By presenting this vision, Krishna demonstrates that the material world is not alien to the divine but is an expression of His own nature.
The verse also carries a profound pedagogical purpose. By saying “mama‑dehe guḍākeśa” (in My body, O Arjuna), Krishna reminds Arjuna that the cosmic form is not a separate spectacle but a manifestation within the Lord’s own being. This helps Arjuna (and the reader) to shift from a limited, ego‑centric viewpoint to a broader, self‑transcending awareness. The invitation “yac ca anyat draṣṭum icchasi” (whatever else you wish to see) is an open‑ended challenge – encouraging the seeker to look beyond the ordinary, to perceive the divine in every aspect of existence.
Philosophically, this revelation aligns with the Advaitic principle that the ultimate reality (Brahman) pervades all. The universe, with its diversity, is a play (lila) of the singular divine consciousness. By visualizing this cosmic form, Arjuna is guided to understand that his personal dilemmas and the battlefield are merely transient phases within an immutable divine reality. The vision also serves as a deterrent against attachment, as recognizing the impermanence of material forms fosters detachment and equanimity.
Finally, the emotional impact on Arjuna is profound. Confronted with the overwhelming sight of the universal form, he experiences awe, reverence, and a sense of surrender. This moment marks a turning point where Arjuna’s inner conflict dissolves, making way for devotion (bhakti) and the resolve to act in accordance with divine will. The verse, therefore, is not just a descriptive passage but a catalyst for spiritual awakening, urging all readers to glimpse the infinite within the finite.
