एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर ।
द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम ॥3॥
evam etad yathāttha tvam ātmānaṁ parameśhvara
draṣhṭum ichchhāmi te rūpam aiśhwaraṁ puruṣhottama
श्लोक ३: हे परमेश्वर, हे समस्त प्राणियों में श्रेष्ठ! मैं आपके उस दिव्य रूप को देखना चाहता हूँ, जिसके द्वारा आप इस सम्पूर्ण सृष्टि में व्याप्त हैं, ठीक उसी प्रकार जिस प्रकार आपने उसका वर्णन किया है।
Shloka 3: O the Supreme Lord, I wish to see that divine form of Yours by which You pervade this entire creation, exactly the way You have described it, O best of all beings!
In Bhagavad Gita 11.3, Arjuna approaches Lord Krishna with deep reverence and says, "O Supreme Lord, You are precisely what You declare yourself to be. Now I desire to see Your divine cosmic form, O Greatest of persons." This verse marks a pivotal moment in Arjuna's spiritual journey as he transitions from intellectual understanding to seeking direct divine experience.
Having received profound spiritual knowledge from Lord Krishna in previous chapters, Arjuna now acknowledges the truth of Krishna's words. His illusion has been dispelled, and he recognizes Krishna as the Supreme Divine Being. The verse reflects Arjuna's acceptance of Krishna's self-description and teachings, yet also reveals his desire to witness firsthand the cosmic manifestation through which Krishna pervades all existence.
Arjuna's request is significant because it comes from a place of faith and humility rather than doubt or challenge. He doesn't question Krishna's divinity but seeks to deepen his understanding through direct perception. This demonstrates an important spiritual principle: even after intellectual acceptance of divine truth, the sincere seeker often yearns for experiential realization. Arjuna wishes to see with his own eyes how Krishna's presence extends throughout the entire creation.
What makes Arjuna's approach exemplary is his humility. He doesn't demand to see the Universal Form as if entitled to it, but rather makes a respectful request, recognizing that such divine vision can only be granted by Krishna's grace. The Sanskrit phrase "draṣṭum icchāmi" (I wish to see) reveals Arjuna's earnest desire coupled with deep respect for Krishna's sovereignty. By addressing Krishna as "puruṣottama" (best of personalities) and "parama-īśvara" (supreme Lord), Arjuna acknowledges that this revelation would be an act of divine mercy, not something he could command.
This verse sets the stage for one of the most profound revelations in spiritual literature—the manifestation of the Vishwarupa or Universal Form. While Krishna had previously described His divine opulences in Chapter 10, Arjuna now seeks the direct experience of Krishna's cosmic presence. This request represents the natural progression from hearing about spiritual truth to witnessing it directly, from theoretical knowledge to experiential realization.
The moment also serves as a testament to Arjuna's role in establishing Krishna's supremacy for future generations. By requesting this divine vision, Arjuna helps create a clear criterion by which true divine manifestation can be recognized, distinguishing authentic divinity from false claims. The Universal Form that Krishna will reveal is described as "aiśvaram rūpam" (divine form), indicating its transcendent nature beyond ordinary human perception.
Ultimately, Verse 11.3 represents the threshold between conceptual understanding and direct spiritual experience. It teaches us that while intellectual comprehension of spiritual truths is valuable, there exists a natural yearning in the sincere seeker to experience divine reality directly. Arjuna's approach—combining acceptance, faith, humility, and earnest desire—exemplifies the attitude that opens the door to deeper spiritual revelation. His request paves the way for one of the most magnificent displays of divine glory in the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna will reveal His universal form that encompasses all of existence.
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