Geetanjali

Bhagavad Geeta 11.23

Sanskrit

रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं महाबाहो बहुबाहूरुपादम्। बहूदरं बहुदंष्ट्राकरालं दृष्ट्वा लोकाः प्रव्यथितास्तथाऽहम्।।11.23।।

rūpaṁ mahat te bahu-vaktra-netraṁ mahā-bāho bahu-bāhūru-pādam bahūdaraṁ bahu-danṣhṭrā-karālaṁ dṛiṣhṭvā lokāḥ pravyathitās tathāham

Meaning

When wielding power, remember that displays of dominance inspire fear, not loyalty. True strength lies in restraint and vision that uplifts rather than intimidates.

Translation

O Mighty-Armed One, seeing Your immense form with many mouths, eyes, arms, thighs, feet, bellies, and teeth, the creatures are struck with terror, and so am I.

Related Topics

This verse relates to the following principles from the Bhagavad Geeta: