Chapter 11 Verse 23

Having seen Your immeasurable form with many mouths and eyes, O mighty-armed one, with many arms, thighs, and feet, with many stomachs and fearsome with many teeth, the worlds are terrified, and so am I.

Core Meaning

This verse describes Arjuna seeing Krishna’s vast, many‑faced, many‑armed form that fills the universe. The vision shows the Divine as beyond any single shape—both magnificent and terrifying—reminding us that ultimate reality is larger than our ideas and fears.

The reaction—fear and trembling in all worlds and in Arjuna—teaches that encountering the whole truth can overwhelm the ego. That overwhelm is not failure but an invitation to humility, awe, and surrender before what we cannot fully control or understand.

Spiritually, the image points to unity behind diversity: many mouths, eyes, and limbs are expressions of one living reality. Recognizing this helps move us from narrow self‑centeredness to a wider awareness of life’s interconnectedness.

Life Application

• When life feels chaotic or too big, pause, breathe, and try to see the larger context before reacting.
• Practice humble acceptance of what you cannot control; focus on sincere effort rather than forcing outcomes.
• Remind yourself that people and events are parts of a larger whole—respond with calmness and compassion instead of fear.

Reflection Question

When have you felt overwhelmed by something beyond your control, and how might seeing it as part of a larger whole change your response?