अदृष्टपूर्वं हृषितोऽस्मि दृष्ट्वा
भयेन च प्रव्यथितं मनो मे ।
तदेव मे दर्शय देव रुपं
प्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास ॥45॥
adṛiṣhṭa-pūrvaṁ hṛiṣhito ’smi dṛiṣhṭvā
bhayena cha pravyathitaṁ mano me
tad eva me darśhaya deva rūpaṁ
prasīda deveśha jagan-nivāsa
श्लोक ४५: हे देवेश! आपके अभूतपूर्व विश्वरूप को देखकर, मैं आनंदित भी हूँ और मेरा मन भय से भी भर गया है। इसलिए, हे ब्रह्मांड के आश्रय, मुझ पर कृपा करें और मुझे अपना दिव्य रूप पुन: दिखाइए।
Shloka 45: O master of the devatas! Beholding your unprecedented universal form, which was never seen before, enlivens me and at the same time disturbs my mind with fear. Therefore, O refuge of the universe, please be gracious upon me and again reveal Your divine form.
Arjuna, standing before Sri Krishna on the battlefield, has just witnessed a vision so extraordinary that it defies imagination. What he sees is the universal form—a cosmic manifestation of Krishna that embodies the entire creation: countless faces, arms, and eyes, stretching out in all directions, encompassing both creation and destruction in its very being. This vision overwhelms Arjuna; it makes him feel infinitesimal in the face of such divine grandeur and power. His heart is stirred with a mix of awe, exhilaration, and deep-seated fear, emotions that swirl together as he tries to comprehend the scale and implications of what he has just witnessed.
Up to this point, Arjuna perceived Krishna as his dear friend and charioteer. Suddenly, this familiar relationship is transformed. The veil is lifted, and Arjuna sees the supreme cosmic authority behind Krishna’s human form. The joy of this revelation is real—Arjuna has glimpsed a facet of divinity that no mortal had seen before, and he is initially thrilled by the privilege. Yet, as the experience intensifies, the terror begins to outweigh the bliss, leading him into a state of profound inner agitation.
The verse captures this emotional turmoil: Arjuna is ecstatic at first but quickly admits to growing fear. He confesses that while the vision is unparalleled (“Having beholden what has never been seen before, I am exhilarated…”), it is also deeply disturbing (“…and my mind is distraught with fear”). The grandeur of the universal form is so intense, so overwhelming, that it unsettles the very core of his being. Arjuna’s mind, once steady, is now trembling, unable to contain the full force of what has been revealed to him.
It’s at this juncture that Arjuna becomes acutely aware of his own limitations. He recognizes that while the universal form is true and magnificent, it is also too formidable for his human faculties to process. In a candid appeal, he requests Krishna to show him a more familiar, approachable form—a form that is comforting rather than dreadful. He asks to see the four-armed form of Narayana, which he associates with majesty and benevolence but not with the intensity that induces terror. Arjuna’s request is heartfelt: he seeks reassurance, longing to reconnect with the divine in a way that feels both accessible and loving.
Arjuna’s plea is more than a personal moment of vulnerability; it reveals a significant philosophical truth of the Bhagavad Gita. The temporary, material manifestation of the universal form demonstrates Krishna’s all-encompassing power, but it is not His eternal or most intimate aspect. The four-armed form, associated with Vaikuntha, is a divine expansion that retains majesty but also offers a sense of familiarity and approchability. It bridges the gap between the transcendence of God and the need for a personal connection. Through this request, Arjuna tacitly acknowledges that while God is omnipotent and all-pervading, true devotion flourishes in the space where awe gives way to personal love and reassurance.
Within the poetic language of the verse, Arjuna addresses Krishna with reverence, calling him “Devesha” (Lord of gods) and “Jagan-nivasa” (abode of the universe). These epithets express both Arjuna’s recognition of Krishna’s supreme status and his humility in approaching Him. By asking Krishna to “be gracious” and reveal a gentler form, Arjuna’s words reflect a universal human longing—for the divine not just as an abstract, all-powerful force, but as a personal refuge and guide who can be approached with love and trust.
The moment is pivotal in the Gita’s narrative arc. Having been awestruck and humbled by the grandeur of the universal form, Arjuna is now ready to embrace a deeper, more intimate relationship with Krishna. His request signals a turning point, where fear is transformed into longing for loving connection—a recurring theme in spiritual literature. The desire to see Krishna’s four-armed form is both a movement towards reassurance and a stepping stone towards the ultimate revelation of Krishna’s original, two-armed human form, which embodies the highest aspect of divine love.
In summary, Bhagavad Gita 11.45 is a rich tapestry of emotion, philosophy, and devotion. Arjuna’s reaction is deeply human: awe in the presence of the infinite, fear at its immensity, and a heartfelt request for comfort and familiarity. The verse teaches us that while the experience of the cosmic can inspire and humble us, our deepest spiritual need is fulfilled in relationship—with a form of the divine that is accessible, loving, and personal. Through Arjuna’s journey, readers are invited to contemplate the balance between reverence for the infinite and the tender intimacy of personal devotion.
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