108 | Arjuna’s Vision of the Universal Form of the Divine | Swami Tattwamayananda

Bhagavad Gita | The Essence of Vedanta

Title: Arjuna’s Vision of the Universal Form of the Divine
11th chapter: verses 12-18
In the 11th chapter, Arjuna experiences the vision of the universal form of the divine. Lord Krishna shows Arjuna his divine form. This cosmic divine form transcends our concept of time and space. Lord Krishna shows that all the different creatures, animals, suns, moons, stars, galaxies, human beings, celestial beings – they all originate, exist, dissolve and re-emerge within that cosmic divine form.
When Arjuna gets this vision, he is freed from all doubts. Imagine that we are given a vision of how every minute, beings are born, beings are dying, they make money, they lose money – then our doubts will be dispelled. This is what happened to Arjuna when he saw the divine form. Human life becomes a problem when we relate to a specific experience at a moment. If we can extend this vision backward to the past and forward to the future, then we can see the reality beyond time. We understand the insignificant nature of our present worries.
In Vishwa-Rupa-Darshana (vision of the divine form), the Absolute Reality is conceived as one physical all-pervading reality. Every effort to explain this one, infinite, reality is only an approximation. Purusha-Suktam of Rig Veda says: this reality is both immanent in the manifested world and yet transcendent to it. It is infinite and beyond words. It transcends the triple dimensions of time.
Lord Krishna granted this vision to Arjuna, not through a special eye, but by removing the impurities from Arjuna’s mind. Normally, our mind is clouded with impurities from our past samskaras that prevent us from realizing our true nature. Higher mystical thoughts emerge when we turn the journey inward, in pursuit of the truth.
In the next few verses, Arjuna and Sanjaya describe this vision of the Absolute Reality, which is all-pervading, immanent and transcendental.
12th and 13th verse: Sanjaya says: “This cosmic effulgence is like the combined effulgence of thousands of suns rising in the east. Arjuna saw in one point the entire cosmic life manifesting in so many ways in the past, present and future.”
14th verse: Sanjaya says: “When Arjuna saw this vision, he was overwhelmed and struck with wonder. He folded his hands and prayed to Lord Krishna.”
15th verse: Arjuna says: “I see in You all the gods and goddesses. I see Brahma the creator. I see the point of origin, existence and dissolution. I see saints and sages. I see different creations and so many different manifestations in You.”
16th verse: Arjuna says: “I see You as the boundless form, as the infinite reality, with manifold arms, stomachs, mouths and eyes. However, I see neither Your end, nor the middle nor the beginning, O Lord of the universal form.”
How can a human explain the infinite? He can only use finite tools to explain the infinite. These verses are poetic – they sing about the absolute reality but do not define it.
17th verse: Arjuna says: “I see You with diadem, club and discus, a mass of radiance shining everywhere which is like the blazing sun and fire everywhere, and immeasurable.”
Lord Krishna presented himself as Vishnu, who has these external symbols, for blessing and protection of creation.
18th verse: “You are the totality of existence. You are indestructible. You are the supreme truth to be realized. You are the supreme abode of the universe. You are inexhaustible. You are the protector of dharma. You are eternal and unchanging. You are the purusha – the divine spark that is immanent and all-pervading.”
Dharma refers to the ethical and moral principles through which we preserve, sustain, regulate and protect the universe. For example, it is immoral to pollute the earth and therefore against Dharma.