Chapter 11: The Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form

Arjuna asks to see Krishna's divine form. Krishna grants him divine eyes to behold the universe contained within his body—all beings, all gods, all times. Arjuna sees creation and destruction, and is overwhelmed with awe and terror. He begs Krishna to return to his gentle human form.

Verses (55)

11.1
अर्जुन उवाच मदनुग्रहाय परमं गुह्यमध्यात्मसंज्ञितम्। यत्त्वयोक्तं वचस्तेन मोहोऽयं विगतो मम।।11.1।।

Clarity emerges when leaders receive honest counsel about their true purpose. Seek mentors who speak uncomfortable truths aligned with your deeper val...
11.2
भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया। त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम्।।11.2।।

Understand the complete cycle of creation and change to lead with perspective beyond immediate circumstances and temporary setbacks.
11.3
एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर। द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम।।11.3।।

Seek to understand the highest truth within yourself and others. True leadership emerges when you recognize the divine potential in every person and s...
11.4
मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो। योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयाऽत्मानमव्ययम्।।11.4।।

Seek clarity on your highest purpose before acting. True vision requires humility and readiness to perceive what transcends your current understanding...
11.5
श्री भगवानुवाच पश्य मे पार्थ रूपाणि शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः। नानाविधानि दिव्यानि नानावर्णाकृतीनि च।।11.5।।

Perspective expands when you recognize complexity. Great leaders see multiple dimensions of reality rather than single solutions, enabling wiser decis...
11.6
पश्यादित्यान्वसून्रुद्रानश्िवनौ मरुतस्तथा। बहून्यदृष्टपूर्वाणि पश्याऽश्चर्याणि भारत।।11.6।।

Expand your perspective beyond familiar boundaries. True leadership requires seeing the full scope of reality, including perspectives and possibilitie...
11.7
इहैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम्। मम देहे गुडाकेश यच्चान्यद्द्रष्टुमिच्छसि।।11.7।।

Everything interconnected within one system. Leaders succeed by seeing how all parts—people, processes, markets—function as one unified whole, not iso...
11.8
न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा। दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षुः पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम्।।11.8।।

Expand your perspective beyond surface-level data. Seek deeper understanding through reflection and wisdom to make truly informed decisions.
11.9
सञ्जय उवाच एवमुक्त्वा ततो राजन्महायोगेश्वरो हरिः। दर्शयामास पार्थाय परमं रूपमैश्वरम्।।11.9।।

When you've exhausted logic and debate, reveal your vision clearly. Leaders inspire through authentic demonstration of their values and capabilities.
11.10
अनेकवक्त्रनयनमनेकाद्भुतदर्शनम्। अनेकदिव्याभरणं दिव्यानेकोद्यतायुधम्।।11.10।।

Focus on the multifaceted nature of challenges and opportunities. Leaders must develop diverse perspectives and capabilities to navigate complexity ef...
11.11
दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरं दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनम्। सर्वाश्चर्यमयं देवमनन्तं विश्वतोमुखम्।।11.11।।

Focus on inner excellence and character rather than external appearance. True leadership radiates from substance, not presentation.
11.12
दिवि सूर्यसहस्रस्य भवेद्युगपदुत्थिता। यदि भाः सदृशी सा स्याद्भासस्तस्य महात्मनः।।11.12।।

Focus on recognizing and connecting with excellence in others. True greatness radiates unmistakably; seek mentors and leaders whose presence elevates ...
11.13
तत्रैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं प्रविभक्तमनेकधा। अपश्यद्देवदेवस्य शरीरे पाण्डवस्तदा।।11.13।।

See the interconnectedness in complexity. Leaders who recognize how diverse teams, systems, and stakeholders form one unified whole make wiser, more h...
11.14
ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो हृष्टरोमा धनञ्जयः। प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं कृताञ्जलिरभाषत।।11.14।।

When facing uncertainty, humble inquiry opens the path to wisdom. Leaders who acknowledge what they don't know unlock better decisions.
11.15
अर्जुन उवाच पश्यामि देवांस्तव देव देहे सर्वांस्तथा भूतविशेषसङ्घान्। ब्रह्माणमीशं कमलासनस्थ मृषीं...

True leaders recognize interconnectedness: every team member, stakeholder, and system plays a vital role in the larger organizational whole. See the c...
11.16
अनेकबाहूदरवक्त्रनेत्रं पश्यामि त्वां सर्वतोऽनन्तरूपम्। नान्तं न मध्यं न पुनस्तवादिं पश्यामि विश्व...

When facing overwhelming complexity, recognize that infinite perspectives exist beyond your current view. Embrace uncertainty as a sign of deeper real...
11.17
किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रिणं च तेजोराशिं सर्वतोदीप्तिमन्तम्। पश्यामि त्वां दुर्निरीक्ष्यं समन्ता द्दीप्...

True leadership radiates undeniable presence and clarity. Cultivate such authentic power that your vision, conviction, and impact become unmistakably ...
11.18
त्वमक्षरं परमं वेदितव्यं त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम्। त्वमव्ययः शाश्वतधर्मगोप्ता सनातनस्त्वं पुर...

Focus on unchanging principles and core values as your anchor; they protect your integrity and guide decisions through chaos and change.
11.19
अनादिमध्यान्तमनन्तवीर्य मनन्तबाहुं शशिसूर्यनेत्रम्। पश्यामि त्वां दीप्तहुताशवक्त्रम् स्वतेजसा विश...

Recognize that transformative leaders possess boundless vision, infinite capacity for action, and radiate influence that inspires entire organizations...
11.20
द्यावापृथिव्योरिदमन्तरं हि व्याप्तं त्वयैकेन दिशश्च सर्वाः। दृष्ट्वाऽद्भुतं रूपमुग्रं तवेदं लोकत्...

Your influence and impact extend far beyond what you directly control. Leaders must recognize their presence shapes entire systems, creating ripple ef...
11.21
अमी हि त्वां सुरसङ्घाः विशन्ति केचिद्भीताः प्राञ्जलयो गृणन्ति। स्वस्तीत्युक्त्वा महर्षिसिद्धसङ्घाः...

When leaders inspire trust and demonstrate competence, even skeptics become advocates. Focus on excellence and integrity; respect naturally follows.
11.22
रुद्रादित्या वसवो ये च साध्या विश्वेऽश्िवनौ मरुतश्चोष्मपाश्च। गन्धर्वयक्षासुरसिद्धसङ्घा वीक्षन्ते...

Even the most accomplished and powerful beings are humbled by greatness. As a leader, inspire such excellence that your vision commands respect across...
11.23
रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं महाबाहो बहुबाहूरुपादम्। बहूदरं बहुदंष्ट्राकरालं दृष्ट्वा लोकाः प्रव्य...

When wielding power, remember that displays of dominance inspire fear, not loyalty. True strength lies in restraint and vision that uplifts rather tha...
11.24
नभःस्पृशं दीप्तमनेकवर्णं व्यात्ताननं दीप्तविशालनेत्रम्। दृष्ट्वा हि त्वां प्रव्यथितान्तरात्मा धृत...

When confronted with overwhelming complexity or power, pause to separate fear from facts. Break the situation into manageable parts rather than absorb...
11.25
दंष्ट्राकरालानि च ते मुखानि दृष्ट्वैव कालानलसन्निभानि। दिशो न जाने न लभे च शर्म प्रसीद देवेश जगन्...

When facing overwhelming challenges, pause to regain perspective. Fear clouds judgment; seek clarity before deciding, and remember that crisis is temp...
11.26
अमी च त्वां धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राः सर्वे सहैवावनिपालसङ्घैः। भीष्मो द्रोणः सूतपुत्रस्तथाऽसौ सहास्मद...

All competitors, regardless of rank or reputation, ultimately face the same outcome. Focus on your duty rather than fixating on who you're competing a...
11.27
वक्त्राणि ते त्वरमाणा विशन्ति दंष्ट्राकरालानि भयानकानि। केचिद्विलग्ना दशनान्तरेषु संदृश्यन्ते चूर...

When you ignore warning signs and resist necessary change, destructive consequences become inevitable. Act decisively on what you already know.
11.28
यथा नदीनां बहवोऽम्बुवेगाः समुद्रमेवाभिमुखाः द्रवन्ति। तथा तवामी नरलोकवीरा विशन्ति वक्त्राण्यभिविज...

Just as rivers naturally flow toward the ocean, align your efforts with your purpose. Stop resisting your destiny; channel your energy toward what you...
11.29
यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गा विशन्ति नाशाय समृद्धवेगाः। तथैव नाशाय विशन्ति लोका स्तवापि वक्त्राणि ...

Unchecked desire blinds us to consequences. Leaders must pause before pursuing every opportunity, recognizing that speed toward attractive goals often...
11.30
लेलिह्यसे ग्रसमानः समन्ता ल्लोकान्समग्रान्वदनैर्ज्वलद्भिः। तेजोभिरापूर्य जगत्समग्रं भासस्तवोग्राः...

Time and change consume all things inevitably. Focus on your responsibilities today rather than fearing what you cannot control tomorrow.
11.31
आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपो नमोऽस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद। विज्ञातुमिच्छामि भवन्तमाद्यं न हि प्रजानामि ...

When facing complexity, humble inquiry beats assumptions. Seek to understand others' perspectives before judging their decisions or methods.
11.32
श्री भगवानुवाच कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः। ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन...

Change is inevitable and beyond your control. Focus on executing your responsibilities with excellence rather than fearing outcomes or external forces...
11.33
तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व जित्वा शत्रून् भुङ्क्ष्व राज्यं समृद्धम्। मयैवैते निहताः पूर्वमेव न...

You are already equipped to succeed; your role is to act decisively without hesitation, knowing the outcome is beyond your control. Focus on excellenc...
11.34
द्रोणं च भीष्मं च जयद्रथं च कर्णं तथाऽन्यानपि योधवीरान्। मया हतांस्त्वं जहि मा व्यथिष्ठा युध्यस्व...

Focus on what's within your control—your effort and commitment—rather than fearing outcomes already determined by circumstances beyond you. Act decisi...
11.35
सञ्जय उवाच एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं केशवस्य कृताञ्जलिर्वेपमानः किरीटी। नमस्कृत्वा भूय एवाह कृष्णं सगद्ग...

When facing overwhelming decisions, pause to seek guidance from trusted mentors. Vulnerability and humility open pathways to clarity that ego cannot a...
11.36
अर्जुन उवाच स्थाने हृषीकेश तव प्रकीर्त्या जगत् प्रहृष्यत्यनुरज्यते च। रक्षांसि भीतानि दिशो द्रवन्...

True leadership inspires trust and respect across all levels. When your character and competence are evident, people naturally follow while obstacles ...
11.37
कस्माच्च ते न नमेरन्महात्मन् गरीयसे ब्रह्मणोऽप्यादिकर्त्रे। अनन्त देवेश जगन्निवास त्वमक्षरं सदसत्...

Recognize that true leadership comes from acknowledging something greater than yourself, which paradoxically empowers you to lead with humility, clari...
11.38
त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराण स्त्वमस्य विश्वस्य परं निधानम्। वेत्तासि वेद्यं च परं च धाम त्वया ततं वि...

Focus on understanding the interconnectedness of all things: you are both the observer and the observed, the leader and the system. True wisdom comes ...
11.39
वायुर्यमोऽग्निर्वरुणः शशाङ्कः प्रजापतिस्त्वं प्रपितामहश्च। नमो नमस्तेऽस्तु सहस्रकृत्वः पुनश्च भूय...

Recognize the interconnected roles you play—mentor, disruptor, nurturer, leader—and honor the profound responsibility each demands of you daily.
11.40
नमः पुरस्तादथ पृष्ठतस्ते नमोऽस्तु ते सर्वत एव सर्व। अनन्तवीर्यामितविक्रमस्त्वं सर्वं समाप्नोषि तत...

Focus on interconnectedness: recognize that success requires acknowledging all perspectives, stakeholders, and forces around you. Embrace infinite pos...
11.41
सखेति मत्वा प्रसभं यदुक्तं हे कृष्ण हे यादव हे सखेति। अजानता महिमानं तवेदं मया प्रमादात्प्रणयेन व...

Acknowledge past mistakes made through ignorance or casual disrespect. Growth requires recognizing when we underestimated someone's knowledge, authori...
11.42
यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसि विहारशय्यासनभोजनेषु। एकोऽथवाप्यच्युत तत्समक्षं तत्क्षामये त्वामहमप्रमेयम...

Acknowledge past missteps with humility, regardless of context or audience. Growth requires owning mistakes openly and moving forward with integrity.
11.43
पितासि लोकस्य चराचरस्य त्वमस्य पूज्यश्च गुरुर्गरीयान्। न त्वत्समोऽस्त्यभ्यधिकः कुतोऽन्यो लोकत्रये...

Recognize that true leadership comes from serving something greater than yourself. When you align with universal principles beyond ego, your influence...
11.44
तस्मात्प्रणम्य प्रणिधाय कायं प्रसादये त्वामहमीशमीड्यम्। पितेव पुत्रस्य सखेव सख्युः प्रियः प्रियाय...

Seek forgiveness with humility and vulnerability. Great leaders acknowledge mistakes openly, trusting that wisdom and compassion—not perfection—build ...
11.45
अदृष्टपूर्वं हृषितोऽस्मि दृष्ट्वा भयेन च प्रव्यथितं मनो मे। तदेव मे दर्शय देव रूपं प्रसीद देवेश ज...

When facing the unknown, acknowledge both curiosity and fear as natural responses, then seek guidance from those with greater perspective to navigate ...
11.46
किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रहस्त मिच्छामि त्वां द्रष्टुमहं तथैव। तेनैव रूपेण चतुर्भुजेन सहस्रबाहो भव विश्व...

Focus on understanding people's authentic needs rather than overwhelming them with complexity. Effective leadership means showing up in the form other...
11.47
श्री भगवानुवाच मया प्रसन्नेन तवार्जुनेदं रूपं परं दर्शितमात्मयोगात्। तेजोमयं विश्वमनन्तमाद्यं यन...

True leaders gain clarity through direct experience and trusted mentorship. Seek wisdom from those who understand your unique potential and challenges...
11.48
न वेदयज्ञाध्ययनैर्न दानै र्न च क्रियाभिर्न तपोभिरुग्रैः। एवंरूपः शक्य अहं नृलोके द्रष्टुं त्वदन्य...

True understanding comes through direct experience and genuine connection, not through external displays or accumulated knowledge alone. Leaders must ...
11.49
मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो दृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्ममेदम्। व्यपेतभीः प्रीतमनाः पुनस्त्वं तदेव मे र...

When facing overwhelming challenges, step back to regain perspective. Fear clouds judgment; clarity returns when you remember your core strengths and ...
11.50
सञ्जय उवाच इत्यर्जुनं वासुदेवस्तथोक्त्वा स्वकं रूपं दर्शयामास भूयः। आश्वासयामास च भीतमेनं भूत्वा...

Leaders must balance clarity with compassion: deliver difficult truths decisively, then reassure your team with calm presence to restore confidence an...
11.51
अर्जुन उवाच दृष्ट्वेदं मानुषं रूपं तवसौम्यं जनार्दन। इदानीमस्मि संवृत्तः सचेताः प्रकृतिं गतः।।11.5...

When leaders pause to see the bigger picture beyond immediate conflict, clarity returns and they reconnect with their core purpose and values.
11.52
श्री भगवानुवाच सुदुर्दर्शमिदं रूपं दृष्टवानसि यन्मम। देवा अप्यस्य रूपस्य नित्यं दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः।।1...

True excellence is rare and worth pursuing. What seems ordinary often masks extraordinary depth—leaders who glimpse deeper truths gain competitive adv...
11.53
नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया। शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा।।11.53।।

True understanding comes through direct experience and genuine connection, not external rituals or credentials alone. Build authentic relationships wi...
11.54
भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्यमहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन। ज्ञातुं दृष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परंतप।।11.54।।

Master your craft through unwavering focus. Deep expertise and singular commitment unlock understanding, visibility, and meaningful impact in any fiel...
11.55
मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः सङ्गवर्जितः। निर्वैरः सर्वभूतेषु यः स मामेति पाण्डव।।11.55।।

Focus your work on a purpose larger than yourself, release attachment to outcomes, and treat all stakeholders with respect—this path leads to genuine ...