Chapter 11

(Revision 01 Feb 03 09)

BHAGAVAD GITA


CHAPTER 11


11. 1 Thanks to the most profound words of spiritual wisdom that you have spoken out of kindness to me, this delusion of mine has entirely disappeared
11. 2 I have heard from you in detail an account of the evolution and dissolution of beings, and also Your immortal glory.
11. 3 Lord, you are precisely what You declare Yourself to be. But I long to see Your divine form
11. 4 If you think that it can be seen by me, then revel to me Your imperishable form

PURPORT:
The Pilgrim's Travel
First is to hear, know his Supreme Glory
Second to know how HE is in HIS vibhootis
Now Arjuna wants to see HIS Form

11. 5-6 Lord said Behold presently hundreds and thousands of multifarious divine forms, of various colors and shapes
11. 7 Behold as concentrated within this body of Mine the entire creation consisting of both animate and inanimate beings
11. 8 But you cannot see Me with these human eyes of yours; therefore, I vouchsafe to you the divine eye. With this you behold My divine power of Yoga

PURPORT:

Lord gives Arjuna the special eyes to see HIS form
To see HIM we need different eyes, different perception
To understand HIM we need different intellect, dropping our prejudices
To win HIM we need a different heart, a mind soaked in HIM for along time.


11. 9 The Supreme master of Yoga, forthwith revealed His supremely glorious divine Form


11. 10-11 Arjuna saw the Supreme Deity possessing many mouths, eyes, presenting many a wonderful sight, decked with many divine ornaments,wielding many uplifted divine weapons, wearing divine garlands and clothes, besmeared all over with divine sandal paste, full of wonders, infinite and having faces on all sides

11.12 If there be the effulgence of a thousand suns bursting forth all at once in the heavens, even that would hardly approach the splendour of the mighty Lord
11.13 Concentrated at one place in the person of that supreme Deity, Arjuna beheld the whole universe with its manifold divisions.
11.14 The full of wonder and horripulation reverentially bowed his head to the divine Lord, and with joined palms, addressed Him thus.

PURPORT:
Arjuna, sees HIM in infinity, and Infinity in HIM
Indescribable scene,
Fear and wonder and new Knowledge brings reverence.
Like the student whom you taught years ago, is now a famous scientist, earns your respect




11.15 I behold within Your body all gods and hosts of different beings, Brahma throned on his lotus leaf Siva and Rsis and celestial serpents
11.16 I see You endowed with numerous arms, bellies, mouths, eyes and having innumerable forms extended on all sides. I see neither Your beginning and nor middle nor even Your end, manifested as you are in the form of the universe.
11.17 I see you endowed with diadems, clubs and discuses, a mass of splendour flaming all around, having brilliance of blazing fire and the sun, hard to gaze at and immeasurable on all sides.

11.18 You are supreme indestructible worthy of being known; you are the ultimate refuge of this universe. You are again, the protector of the ageless dharma. I consider you to be the eternal imperishable Being.
11.19 I see You without beginning, middle or end, possessing unlimited prowess and endowed with numberless arms, having the moon and the sun for Your eyes, and blazing fire for Your mouth,and scorching this universe by Your radiance.
11.20 Yonder space between heaven and earth and all the quarters are entirely filled by Your alone. Seeing this transcendent, dreadful Form of Yours, all the three worlds feel greatly alarmed.

PURPORT:
HE says he protects the ageless Dharma.
Hindus are convinced it is their Dharma (Righteous way of Life)
Could other Religions be wrong then? are they also not calling on HIM, albeit by different names?
How can Lord be partial to only one Dharma; Naturally, all dharmas in their own way finally lead to HIM
Again, HE is without beginning, without middle, and without end. Why without middle?
Because if we locate the middle we have located the beginning and end. Hence infinity does not have a middle.


11.21 Yonder hosts of gods are entering You; some with palms joined out of fear are uttering your names and glories. Multitudes of Maharshis and Siddhas, saying 'Let there be peace', are extolling You by means of excellent hymns.
11.22 The eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas and eight vasus, the Sadyas and Visvedevas, the two Ashwinikumars and fortynine maruts, as well as the manes and multitudes of Gandharvas, Yakshas, Asuras and Siddhas, all these gaze upon you in amazement.

PURPORT:
The nature of great devotees is described here. Always with Lord in thought and action(9.34)
Chanting HIS names, Wishing peace for the Universe, Extolling Lord with Excellent Hymns.
A host of Gods, and celestial deities are gazing at HIM, just like Arjuna, having opened themselves to HIS Grace.
When we are in material world, we wonder at materialistic-man-made simple wonders of the World


11.23 Seeing this stupendous and dreadful form of Yours possessing numerous mouths and eyes, many arms,thighs,feet,many bellies and many teeth, the worlds are terror struck; so am I.
11.24 Lord seeing your Form reaching the heavens, effulgent multi-coloured, having its mouth wide open and possessing large flaming eyes, I with my inmost self frightened, have lost self-control and find no peace.
11.25 Seeing your faces frightful on account of their teeth, and flaring like the fire at the time of universal destruction, I am utterly bewildered and find no happiness; therefore, be kind to me,O Lord of celestial and Resting place of the Universe.

PURPORT:
The form of the Lord with each part of the body large numbers is itself fearsome.
Mortals fear the unknown, fearing pain and death.
Arjuna was not an exception.


11.26-27 All those sons of Dhratarastra with hosts of kings are entering You. Bhisma, Drona, and yonder Karna, with the principal warrior on our side as well, are rushing headlong into Your fearful mouths looking all the more terrible on account of their teeth with their heads crushed.
11.28 As the myriad streams of rivers rush towards the sea alone, so do those warriors of the mortal world enter Your flaming mouths
11.29 As moths rush with great great speed into the blazing fire, for extinction out of their folly, even so all these people are with great rapidity entering Your mouths to meet their doom.
11.30 Swallowing through your blazing mouths, You are licking all those people on all sides. Lord, Your terrible splendours are burning the entire universe filling it with radiance.
11.31 Tell me who You are with a form so terrible? My obeisance to You. O best of gods, be kind to me. I wish to know You, the Primal Being, in particular; for I know not Your purpose

PURPORT:
Shlokas 15,18,19, 28, 29 make excellent prayers to chant daily. They have rhythm, full of HIS greatness
This is the chapter where the shlokas have lengthier meter, as if the vastness and greatness of the Lord cannot be told in smaller metered ones
The scene is described in a variety of ways
Arjuna also sees the future, the annihilation of the armies on both sides.
Suddenly, Arjuna is unsure of who this Great Personage is, and enquires, who HE is?




11.32 The Lord says, I am inflamed Kala(The eternal Time-spirit), destroyer of the worlds. I am out to exterminate these people. Even without you all those warriors arrayed in the enemy's camp must die
11.33 Therefore, do arise and win glory; conquering foes, enjoy the affluent kingdom. These warriors stand already slain by ME. Be you only an instrument.
11.34 Do you ki ll Drona, Bhisma, Jayadratha, Karna and other brave warriors; who stand already killed by ME. fear not. You will surely conquer the enemies in this war; therefore, fight

PURPORT:
HE is the TIME the great devour.
Without Arjuna HE has already destroyed all of them
Arjuna has a choice to become an instrument of the Lord and fight the war
Eminently applicable forever to all of us.
Find out what he Lord wants and be an instrument in HIS hands
When you become an instrument, you are in Karmayoga


11.35 Sanjaya said: Hearing these words of Bhagavan Kesava, Arjuna tremblingly bowed to HIM with joined palms and bowing again and again in extreme terror spoke to Sri Krsna in faltering accents

11.36 Arjuna said,Lord, well it is, the universe exults and is filled with love by chanting Your names, virtues and glory; terrified Raksasas are fleeting in all directions and all the hosts of Siddhas are bowing to You.
11.37 O Great Soul, why should they not bow to you, who are the progenitor of Brahma himself and the greatest of the great? O infinite Lord of the celestial, abode of the universe, You are that which is existent(Sat), that which is non-existent(Asat) and also that which is beyond both, viz., the indestructible Brahma
11.38 You are the Primal deity, the most ancient Person; You are the ultimate resort of this universe. You are both the knower and knowable, and the highest abode. It is you who pervade the universe, assuming endless forms.
11.39 You are the Vayu, Yama, Agni, varuna, the Moon, Brahma, nay the father of Brahma himself. Hail, hail to you a thousand times; salutations, repeated salutations to you once again.
11.40 O Lord of Infinite prowess, my salutations to you from front and back. O Soul of all, my obeisance to You from all sides indeed. You who possess limitless might, pervade all; therefore, You are all.

PURPORT:
The Lord is called Stavya( one who deserves to be extolled), and 'stutipriyah'(one who likes praise, admiration, adulation.
Here Arjuna praises HIM in such terms which can only be applied to the Supreme Being.
This Lord of lords, is same for Infinite Universes, all though HE is called by various names by various countries in different Universes
Who cannot but respond to a suggestion arising from esteem (Laghu Yoga Vasishta) or grant wishes for such praise.
The Scriptures teach us 'Satyam vada, priyam vada' (speak the Truth but speak Pleasingly'.
This whole chapter is all about being pleasing Lord and His devotee





11.41-42 The way in which I have importunately called out, either through intimacy or even through want of thought, Hey Krsna, Hey Yadava, Hi Friend, and so on, never suspecting this greatness of Yours, and thinking of You only to be a friend and the way in which You have been slighted by me in jest, while at play, reposing, sitting or at meals either alone or even in the presence of others- for all that I crave forgiveness from You, who are infinite
11.43 You are the father, nay, the greatest teacher of this moving and unmoving creation, and worthy of adoration, O Lord of incomparable might, in all the three worlds, there is none else even equal to You, then, any better ?
11.44 Therefore, Lord prostrating my body at Your feet and bowing low i seek to propitiate You, the ruler of all and worthy of all praise. It behoves You to bear with me even as a father bears with his son, a friend with his friend and a lover with is beloved.


PURPORT:

Arjuna, now regrets for being casual, flippant, disrespectful to the Great Lord who was with him as his friend and cousin.
He recalls his follies. as we recall ours when our parents, in laws, elders, are no longer there.
Unfortunately, we do not recall all the disrespect we show to our parents, and more often our spouses (husband to wife and wife to husband).
If we do recall it will be when we are incapacitated, bedridden old and decrepit and when we badly need wife's help.
Being satsanghis, we can change and love old parents and devoted wives who sacrificed her parents, brothers and sisters to come and live with me, the derelicting one.



11.45 Having seen Your wondrous form, which was never seen before, I feel transported with joy; at the same time my mind is tormented by fear. Pray reveal to me the divine form; (form of Vishnu with four arms); O Lord of celestial, abode of the universe, be gracious
11.46 I wish to see you adorned in the same way with a diadem on the head, and holding a mace and discus in two of Your hands. O Lord with a thousand arms, O Universal Being, appear against in the same (four armed) Form.

11.47 Sri Bhagavan said: Arjuna, pleased with You Have shown you, through My own power of Yoga this Supreme, effulgent, primal and infinite Cosmic Body which was never seen before by anyone else than you.
11.48 In this mortal world I cannot be seen in this Form by anyone else than you, either through study of the Vedas or of rituals, or again through gifts, actions or austere penances.

PURPORT:
We now know that Lord cannot be seen either by study of the highest scriptures, ofr by charity, actions, or by penances
The same thing has been told in Scriptures like Viveka chudamani, Laghu Yoga Vaasista, and even Bhakti sutras.
The meaning of this is, all those acts purify the mind when done without desires for fruits, without the feeling of doership.
Purified mind has now abandoned all desires and thoughts of the phenomenal world
This purified mind is now ready for its own merger totally with the Lord (9.22 ananya bhakti, 10.9-10 matchitta , madgatha prana, also 8.7 mind and intellect to HIM)
Knowing and meditating on Knowledge of reality which is HE the Supreme in HIS unmanifested Form.



11.49 Seeing such a dreadful Form of Mine as this, be not perturbed or perplexed; with a fearless and complacent mind behold once again the same four armed Form of Mine
11.50 Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus to Arjuna, Bhagavan Vasudeva again showed to him in the same way His four armed Form; and then, assuming a gentle form, the high souled Sri Krsna consoled the frightened Arjuna
11.51 Arjuna said: Krsna, seeing this gentle human form of Yours, I have regained my composure and am myself again.


11.52 Sri Bhagavan said: This form of Mine which you have just seen is exceedingly difficult to perceive. Even the gods are always eager to behold this form.
11.53 Neither by study of Vedas nor by penance, nor again by charity, nor even by ritual can I be seen in this form as you have seen ME
11.54 Through single minded devotion, however I can be seen in this form, nay, known in essence and even entered into.
11.55 Arjuna, he who performs all his duties for My sake, depends on ME, is devoted to ME, has no attachment, and free from malice towards all beings reaches ME.

PURPORT:
Shloka 48 is reflected again here in shloka 53, to remind again to us, merely studying scriptures without practicing, doing charities for name and fame, austerities for even heavenly gains all are in the long run will bring rebirth and not liberation(His World)
shloka 54 (similar to 9-22 ananya chintana and shloka 10.9-10) the stress is very clear. Path is clearly shown to us. Go on this path; leave other thoughts if you are after Moksha, understand you are in a world of Maya( 7.14)which is very difficult to cross. Acquire Great Jnana (same as Para Bhakti). This will be your last life(7.19). You will come to ME(2.72 & 8.5)
Shloka 55. Duties for My sake. What HE likes most? (spread of this Knowledge- (Guru)Nanak Naam ka ek Jahaz hai -which takes people across the ocean of Samsaar), Depend on ME(7.1), we depend on our Intellectual ability(now lying with brain tumour), on Wealth of investments{(melt down:)}, on our loving children(Oldage Home- very good one! :)}, on our dear friends (Time servers, as bad condition as you are now). No, dependence only on HIS Name
Devoted to ME (God need to be an obsession of sort - need not be open or known to others; as Paramahamsa put it illicit love of a wife, or the mind of the tortoise on its eggs buried in the seashore, or the servant maid's attention on her children in her far off hut,). Some how HE needs to be part of my life's each activity
Attachment comes only from delusion(ch 1.27-28) or Maya of I and Mine. Ahamkar and mamakar. Knowledge of Reality alone can awaken us to the Truth. Prolonged meditation of this Truth, seeing (after conviction) the folly of my relationship people in this non-existing phenomenal world, will gradually(with prolonged, repeated reflection) turn the scales in favour of non-attachment which will free the sadhaka



DEDICATION:

The commentaries, in all humility and most respectfully, are dedicated, at the feet of Shaila and Krishnanand Sanjeevarao Chandavarkar, (Chitrakoot farm Tippegondana Halli, Magadi Road, Bengaluru) who started the satsangh on 14Th Jan 1981. For next 10 turbulent and uncertain years this great founder stood like a rock and nourished its growth and remained an inspiration for alll those who knew him.
Respectful pranams in dedication also to founders who continued with Chandavarkarji, late Dinkar Mallapur and his wife, Vasanth and Mradula Somane, Gangadhar and Anasuya Bhat and others
In gratefulness to the pillars who chose to stand like rock by their unfailing attendance, Govindan and Geetha, Sugunan and Gita, Gopinath and Srilatha, Prabhakar Prabhu and Shobha