By: Rajendra Kapil

The Universal Form of Lord Krishna – an extraordinary and awe-inspiring vision. A form so vast that it is at once wondrous and terrifying, containing within it every particle of the cosmos. In that vision lies all beauty and all ugliness of existence. Within that cosmic form resides a dreadful severity that no devotee could ever imagine. This is the “Virat Rupa” – the Universal Form of Lord Krishna – and it is the central theme of this chapter.

At Arjuna’s request, the Lord revealed this cosmic vision to His devotee. It was impossible for Arjuna, or for anyone, to perceive that form with ordinary eyes. Therefore, Lord Krishna granted him divine vision for a short while. The same divine sight Krishna had earlier given to Sanjaya at the beginning of the Gita, so that while seated in Hastinapur, Sanjaya could narrate the events of the Kurukshetra battlefield to King Dhritarashtra.

Verse 8

na tu māṁ śakyase draṣṭum anenaiva sva-cakṣuṣā |
divyaṁ dadāmi te cakṣuḥ paśya me yogam aiśvaram

Meaning: “But you cannot see Me with your present eyes. Therefore I grant you divine vision; behold now My majestic mystic opulence.”

Through this divine vision, Arjuna saw the Universal Form. At first, he was struck with amazement, then became completely silent, and finally trembled with fear. Before him stood an incomprehensible manifestation of the Lord, unlike anything he had imagined. Yet, because the devotee had wished for it, the Lord fulfilled that desire. Let us now see what Arjuna and Sanjaya beheld in that cosmic form.

Verses 16–17

aneka-bāhūdara-vaktra-netraṁ paśyāmi tvāṁ sarvato ’nanta-rūpam |
nāntaṁ na madhyaṁ na punas tavādiṁ paśyāmi viśveśvara viśva-rūpa ||

kirīṭinaṁ gadinaṁ cakriṇaṁ ca tejo-rāśiṁ sarvato dīptimantam |
paśyāmi tvāṁ dur-nirīkṣyaṁ samantād dīptānala-arka-dyutim aprameyam ||

Meaning: “O Lord of the universe, I see in Your body many arms, bellies, mouths, and eyes, and unlimited forms on every side. I see neither end, nor middle, nor beginning of You. I see You crowned, armed with mace and disc, glowing everywhere with radiance. It is difficult to behold You blazing like fire and dazzling like the sun from all sides, immeasurable in all directions.”

Arjuna was astounded. In that vast vision he saw the eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas, eight Vasus, the Visvedevas, Brahma, the Gandharvas, demons, and countless other beings, all appearing simultaneously. Some had benevolent forms, others terrifying. Some appeared joyful, others wrathful. There were hundreds of mouths, thousands of eyes, and countless arms, each holding different weapons – bows, maces, and more. Witnessing this incomprehensible sight in one single form overwhelmed Arjuna with fear.

Verses 26–27

amī ca tvāṁ dhṛtarāṣṭrasya putrāḥ sarve sahaivāvani-pāla-saṅghaiḥ |
bhīṣmo droṇaḥ sūta-putras tathāsau sahāsmadīyair api yodha-mukhyaiḥ ||

vakttrāṇi te tvaramāṇā viśanti daṁṣṭrā-karālāni bhayānakāni |
kecid vilagnā daśanāntareṣu sandṛśyante cūrṇitair uttamāṅgaiḥ ||

Arjuna then witnessed a dreadful scene. Those very sons of Dhritarashtra, along with venerable figures like Bhishma Pitamaha and Guru Drona, whom Arjuna had been hesitant to fight against, were all rushing into the Lord’s gaping mouths. Heroes like Jayadratha and Karna were trapped between His fearsome teeth, crushed by the jaws of Time. Entire armies were being devoured, while others were caught in His teeth. Just as rivers rush toward the ocean, so too the mighty warriors of the Kaurava army were helplessly drawn into the Lord’s cosmic mouth. Terrified, Arjuna asked: “O Madhava, who are You in this fierce form? What am I seeing?”

Verse 32

kālo ’smi loka-kṣhaya-kṛit pravṛiddho lokān samāhartum iha pravṛttaḥ |
ṛite ’pi tvāṁ na bhaviṣhyanti sarve ye ’vasthitāḥ pratyanīkeṣhu yodhāḥ ||

Meaning: The Lord said: “I am Time, destroyer of worlds, and I have come to annihilate all people. Even without your participation, all the warriors arrayed in the opposing armies shall cease to exist.”

To reassure Arjuna, Krishna explained: “I am the great Time who brings all beings to their end. I have already slain these warriors. Even if you choose not to fight, their death is certain. Therefore, do not worry about your kinsmen. Fulfill your duty as a warrior. As a Kshatriya, your dharma is to fight; the result is not your concern. Their destiny is Mine to decide; I will grant them the fruits of their actions.”

Sanjaya, narrating to Dhritarashtra, described how Arjuna, trembling, bowed to the Lord and said: “O Supreme Lord, You are the original being, the Absolute Truth, without beginning or end. You are the embodiment of eternal bliss. You are the supreme refuge of this world. You are Yama, Vayu, Varuna, Agni, and the sky itself. You are Brahma, and even the father of Brahma. I bow to You again and again.”

Arjuna confessed: “Forgive me, O Lord, if in ignorance I addressed You casually as Krishna, Yadava, or my friend, not recognizing Your greatness. Please, O Master, return to Your gentle, familiar form. This terrifying cosmic vision is too overwhelming. I wish to see again the Krishna who is my well-wisher and trusted charioteer.”

Hearing this, Lord Krishna reassumed His natural, gentle form, leaving aside the Universal Form. Smiling, He said: “By My mystic power, I showed you this vision that no one before you has ever seen. It is not easily understood, even by scholars who have studied the Vedas for years.”

Verse 54

bhaktyā tv ananyayā śakya aham evaṁ-vidho ’rjuna |
jñātuṁ draṣṭuṁ ca tattvena praveṣṭuṁ ca parantapa ||

Verse 55

mat-karma-kṛn mat-paramo mad-bhaktaḥ saṅga-varjitaḥ |
nirvairaḥ sarva-bhūteṣu yaḥ sa mām eti pāṇḍava ||

Meaning: “O Arjuna, only by undivided devotion can I be truly known, seen as I am, and attained in reality. One who works only for Me, who makes Me the supreme goal, who is devoted to Me, free from attachments and enmity toward all beings – such a devotee will surely come to Me.”

Thus Krishna reassured Arjuna that the destiny of his elders and kinsmen was already sealed. Their fate would not change whether Arjuna fought or not. Therefore, Krishna urged him to cast away hesitation, embrace his duty as a warrior, and leave the rest to the Divine.

The most wondrous aspect of this episode is that, standing right there on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Krishna revealed His Universal Form exclusively to Arjuna. Although countless soldiers were present, none but Arjuna could behold it. Such is the mystery and mercy of the Lord.

To that most compassionate Lord Krishna, my countless prostrations. “Jai Shri Krishna.”