नभः स्पृशं दीप्तमनेकवर्णं
व्यात्ताननं दीप्तविशालनेत्रम्।
दृष्ट्ववा हि त्वां प्रव्यथितान्तरात्मा
धृतिं न विन्दामि शमं च विष्णो ॥24॥
nabhaḥ-spṛiśhaṁ dīptam aneka-varṇaṁ
vyāttānanaṁ dīpta-viśhāla-netram
dṛiṣhṭvā hi tvāṁ pravyathitāntar-ātmā
dhṛitiṁ na vindāmi śhamaṁ cha viṣhṇo
श्लोक २४: हे भगवान विष्णु! आपके आकाश तक फैले, दीप्तिमान और बहुरंगी रूप, खुला हुआ मुख एवं बड़ी चमकती आंखों को देखकर, मेरा मन विचलित हो गया है तथा मैं अपने मन को शांत और स्थिर नहीं रख पा रहा हूँ।
Shloka 24: O Lord Vishnu! Beholding Your radiant and multicolored form stretching to the sky, with Your mouth wide open and large glowing eyes, I am disturbed internally, and I am unable to keep my mind steady or calm.
In Bhagavad Gita verse 11.24, we witness a profound shift in Arjuna's experience of Krishna's Universal Form (Vishvarupa). Arjuna addresses Krishna as "Vishnu," the all-pervading one, as he describes the overwhelming cosmic vision before him. He sees Krishna's form extending to touch the sky, radiant with countless colors, with mouths wide open and enormous blazing eyes. This magnificent yet terrifying sight causes Arjuna's inner being to tremble with fear, making him lose his steadiness of mind and inner peace.
The verse marks a critical turning point in Arjuna's cosmic vision. His initial wonder and amazement have now transformed into deep fear and disturbance. The Sanskrit words "pravyathitāntar-ātmā" indicate that Arjuna's very soul is disturbed and agitated. He confesses to Krishna that he can no longer maintain his mental equilibrium (dhṛtiṁ na vindāmi) or inner tranquility (śamaṁ ca) when faced with such an overwhelming divine manifestation.
What makes this verse particularly significant is how it shows the human response to direct contact with the divine in its full, unfiltered glory. Arjuna, despite being Krishna's dear friend and devotee, cannot help but feel overwhelmed when confronted with the Lord's cosmic form. The verse beautifully captures the paradox of divine revelation – the same vision that was meant to inspire and enlighten Arjuna now fills him with dread. The sky-touching form (nabhaḥ-spṛśaṁ) symbolizes the boundless nature of the divine that exceeds human comprehension.
As Arjuna continues to gaze upon this vision, he begins to see something even more disturbing – the inevitable fate of all the warriors assembled on the battlefield. He witnesses both armies being drawn toward Krishna's fiery mouths, some like rivers naturally flowing to the ocean, others like moths rushing headlong into a flame. Through this terrifying vision, Krishna is revealing to Arjuna that the outcome of the war has already been determined by divine will – all these warriors are destined to perish, regardless of Arjuna's participation.
The verse conveys a profound metaphysical truth: the divine encompasses not only creation and preservation but also dissolution. Krishna's Universal Form shows that death and destruction are not separate from divinity but are integral aspects of cosmic existence. By addressing Krishna as "Vishnu" at this moment, Arjuna acknowledges that even in this terrifying aspect, he recognizes the same Lord who is the sustainer of the universe.
This revelation serves a crucial purpose in Arjuna's spiritual journey. It helps him understand that he is merely an instrument in a larger cosmic plan. The warriors who will fall in battle are already marked by time (kāla), which is another form of Krishna himself. This understanding gradually liberates Arjuna from the burden of decision and the guilt associated with fighting his kinsmen. It shows him that while he must fulfill his duty (dharma) by fighting, the ultimate outcome lies beyond his control.
The verse also highlights an important aspect of spiritual experience – that true revelation often comes with discomfort and even fear as it challenges our limited perception of reality. Arjuna's trembling and loss of composure is not a sign of weakness but a natural human response to glimpsing a reality that transcends ordinary understanding. It demonstrates that the path to spiritual wisdom sometimes requires passing through states of confusion and fear before reaching clarity and peace. Through this experience, Arjuna is being prepared to understand the deeper message that Krishna will impart – that behind this terrifying cosmic drama stands the loving, personal form of the Lord to whom he can surrender with complete trust.
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