11.5 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 11, Verse 5

In Bhagavad Gita verse 11.5, Lord Krishna responds to Arjuna's request to witness His divine Universal Form. The Supreme Lord says: "O Pārtha, behold My hundreds and thousands of various multi-coloured divine forms." This moment marks a pivotal turn in their dialogue, as Krishna prepares to reveal something extraordinary—a vision that transcends ordinary human perception.

The verse begins with Krishna's gentle instruction to "paśya" (behold), inviting Arjuna to witness something that has never been seen before by mortal eyes. This is not merely a suggestion but an invitation to experience divine revelation. Krishna is about to manifest His viśhwarūp—the universal form that contains within it all of existence, from the smallest particle to the vastest cosmic arrangements.

What makes this verse particularly significant is Krishna's description of what Arjuna is about to witness: forms "by hundreds and thousands." While these numbers literally suggest a vast quantity, they symbolically represent infinity—innumerable divine manifestations of varying colors, shapes, and dimensions all contained within one supreme form. This is not merely a quantitative description but a qualitative one, indicating the incomprehensible diversity and magnificence of the divine reality.

The Sanskrit terms "nānā-vidhāni divyāni" and "nānā-varṇākṛtīni" highlight the variegated nature of these divine forms. Krishna's Universal Form is not monochromatic or uniform but displays a breathtaking diversity of divine manifestations, each with its own unique attributes and character. This reflects the principle that the Supreme contains within Himself infinite variety and expression, while remaining one undivided whole.

This verse serves as a threshold moment in the Gita. Until now, Arjuna has known Krishna primarily as his charioteer, friend, and spiritual teacher. But now, Krishna is preparing him to witness His cosmic aspect—the form that contains all celestial beings, all worlds, all time periods, and all of creation. It represents a shift from the personal relationship to a glimpse of Krishna's ultimate, all-encompassing nature as the Supreme Being.

The revelation about to unfold before Arjuna is not merely spectacular but purposeful. Krishna is not displaying His Universal Form to satisfy curiosity or to perform a miraculous demonstration. Rather, this vision will serve as irrefutable proof of Krishna's supreme position and will resolve any lingering doubts in Arjuna's mind about the Lord's divine nature. It will show that Krishna is not merely one deity among many but the source of all divine and cosmic manifestations.

What makes this moment especially poignant is that Krishna grants this vision to Arjuna out of love and grace. The Universal Form is not accessible through intellectual effort, yogic practice, or ritual perfection alone. It is revealed by Krishna's divine will to the one who approaches with sincere devotion and humility. Arjuna's respectful request and his relationship with Krishna have made him eligible to receive this unprecedented cosmic vision—one that will forever transform his understanding of reality and his relationship with the Divine.