Bhagavad Gita · Verse 11.23
Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (विश्वरूपदर्शनयोगः)
(Arjuna said)
रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं महाबाहो बहुबाहूरुपादम् । बहूदरं बहुदंष्ट्राकरालं दृष्ट्वा लोकाः प्रव्यथितास्तथाहम् ॥२३॥
rūpaṃ mahatte bahuvaktranetraṃ mahābāho bahubāhūrupādam | bahūdaraṃ bahudaṃṣṭrākarālaṃ dṛṣṭvā lokāḥ pravyathitāstathāham ||23||
Complete Shloka Translation
Mighty-armed One, seeing Your immense form, with many mouths and eyes, many arms, thighs and feet, many bellies and fearsome tusks, the worlds are shaken, and so am I.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| दंष्ट्रा | daṃṣṭrā | tusk |
| महाबाहु | mahābāhu | mighty-armed |
| रूपं | rūpaṃ | [term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ... |
| महत्ते | mahatte | [term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ... |
| बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं | bahuvaktranetraṃ | [term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ... |
| महाबाहो | mahābāho | [term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ... |
| बहुबाहूरुपादम् | bahubāhūrupādam | [term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ... |
| बहूदरं | bahūdaraṃ | [term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ... |
| बहुदंष्ट्राकरालं | bahudaṃṣṭrākarālaṃ | [term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ... |
| दृष्ट्वा | dṛṣṭvā | [term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ... |
| लोकाः | lokāḥ | [term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ... |
| प्रव्यथितास्तथाहम् | pravyathitāstathāham | [term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ... |
| २३ | pravyathitāstathāham | [term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ... |
tusk
mighty-armed
[term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ...
[term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ...
[term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ...
[term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ...
[term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ...
[term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ...
[term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ...
[term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ...
[term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ...
[term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ...
[term] in context of Mighty-armed One, seeing Your ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Arjuna includes himself among those distressed. His honesty prepares the request for reassurance that follows.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Naming fear honestly can begin a meaningful appeal for support."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
When would honestly naming fear help you ask for support?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to dissolve petty ego: see yourself as a humble instrument (Nimitta-matram) of a vastly larger cosmic intelligence. Let go of personal anxiety over outcomes, doing your duty with courage and dedication.