आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपो
नमोऽस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद।
विज्ञातुमिच्छामि भवन्माद्यं
न हि प्रजानामि तव प्रवृत्तिम् ॥31॥
ākhyāhi me ko bhavān ugra-rūpo
namo ’stu te deva-vara prasīda
vijñātum ichchhāmi bhavantam ādyaṁ
na hi prajānāmi tava pravṛittim
श्लोक ३१: कृपया मुझे बतायें कि आप इतने विकराल रूप में कौन हैं। हे देवेश! मैं आपको प्रणाम करता हूँ। अपनी कृपा से मुझ पर अनुग्रह करें। मैं आपको, जो आदि पुरुष हैं, समझने की इच्छा रखता हूँ, क्योंकि मैं आपके मन्तव्य के बारे में अनिश्चित हूँ।
Shloka 31: Please reveal to me who You are, possessing such a fierce form. O Supreme one amongst the devatas! I bow down to You. Favor me with Your grace. I desire to understand You, the original supreme being, as I am uncertain of Your intentions.
After being granted divine sight, Arjuna stands overwhelmed before the vast and terrifying universal form of Sri Krishna—a vision not just of grandeur, but of relentless cosmic power. Every direction is filled with scenes of annihilation, warriors consumed by the Lord’s blazing mouths, the world itself trembling. Arjuna, who once saw Krishna as his dear friend and charioteer, cannot recognize this aspect. He feels both awe and fear, realizing he is in the presence of something far beyond his understanding—a force that engulfs creation and destruction in a single glance.
In this moment of breathtaking revelation, Arjuna experiences a fundamental shift in perception. What started as curiosity to witness the divine form now becomes a deep existential crisis. He sees not just the beauty and magnificence of the Lord, but also the power that dissolves everything. The familiar face of Krishna is replaced by the visage of Time itself—inescapable and impartial. Arjuna’s mind reels, unsettled by the scale and violence of the vision, and he struggles to find meaning in what unfolds before him.
Unable to bear the overwhelming sight, Arjuna responds with humility and surrender. He bows deeply, folding his hands, and places his trust at Krishna’s feet. With sincerity, he asks, “Who are You in this fierce form? What is the purpose of this revelation? What are You trying to show me?” His questions are not of doubt, but of an earnest seeker grappling with the mysteries of the cosmos. He recognizes Krishna as the Supreme Divinity, yet admits that he cannot comprehend the mission or intention behind this awesome display.
Arjuna’s query is both personal and universal. On a personal level, he is bewildered: the friend and guide he has always known now stands revealed as the primordial force governing creation and destruction. On a universal level, his question speaks for every being faced with the profound uncertainties of life: Who is the ultimate force orchestrating the cycle of beginnings and endings? Why must there be suffering and dissolution? What is the reason behind it all? These questions reflect humanity’s age-old quest to understand the nature of God and the universe.
This verse captures a defining moment in the Bhagavad Gita—a shift from seeing divinity as familiar and benevolent to confronting its most formidable and unfathomable aspect. Arjuna realizes that real spiritual vision is not only about glimpsing the pleasant or comforting side of God but also being willing to face the difficult, the uncomfortable, and the inexplicable. He does not run away from his fear; instead, he brings his confusion and trembling heart directly to the divine, seeking solace and clarity. His vulnerability is an act of profound openness.
The language employed by Arjuna is deeply respectful and laden with reverence. He addresses Krishna as “God of gods,” acknowledging His supreme position in the cosmic hierarchy. Yet, despite his devotion, Arjuna admits his inability to grasp the purpose behind the vision: “I do not know your mission.” This confession encapsulates the honest humility required on the spiritual path—recognizing that the intellect alone cannot comprehend the infinite, and that true understanding may only come with divine grace.
What unfolds in this exchange is not just a dramatic dialogue between devotee and deity, but a moment of surrender in the face of the unknown. Arjuna’s willingness to ask, to bow, and to wait for an answer marks a pivotal point in his journey. He is no longer seeking mere explanations; he is ready to listen deeply. This prepares him, and the reader, for the profound teachings Krishna is about to reveal—teachings on the nature of time, duty, and the purpose behind cosmic events.
At its core, the verse illustrates the transformation of fear into inquiry, of bewilderment into openness. Arjuna's question, spoken from the heart in a trembling moment, becomes an invitation to wisdom. He demonstrates that it is not only courage to fight that the Gita advocates, but also the courage to question, to admit not knowing, and to approach the unknown with humility and trust. This humble search for understanding sets the stage for the deeper spiritual revelations that follow, as Arjuna awaits Krishna’s merciful response.
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