Chapter 11 Verse 4
Viśhwarūp Darśhan Yog
मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो। योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयाऽत्मानमव्ययम्।।11.4।।
manyase yadi tach chhakyaṁ mayā draṣhṭum iti prabho yogeśhvara tato me tvaṁ darśhayātmānam avyayam
Word Meanings
| manyase | you think |
| yadi | if |
| tat | that |
| śhakyam | possible |
| mayā | by me |
| draṣhṭum | to behold |
| iti | thus |
| prabho | Lord |
| yoga-īśhvara | Lord of all mystic powers |
| tataḥ | then |
| me | to me |
| tvam | you |
| darśhaya | reveal |
| ātmānam | yourself |
| avyayam | imperishable |
Translation
If Thou, O Lord, thinkest it possible for me to see it, do Thou, then, O Lord of the Yogis, show me Thy imperishable Self.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Arjuna admits his limitation and asks Krishna, the Lord of yoga, to reveal His imperishable Self if Arjuna is able to see it. This shows humility mixed with a strong desire for direct spiritual experience.
Philosophically, the verse teaches that the highest reality — the imperishable Self beyond change and death — cannot be grasped by ego or reason alone. It requires grace, inner readiness, and the teacher’s revealing power.
Practically, asking to see the divine is both a request for guidance and a willingness to be transformed. True vision changes how you live; it asks for openness, purity of intention, and courage to accept a larger truth.
Life Application
- Start with humble prayer or honest asking: admit you don’t know and invite guidance in meditation or quiet reflection.
- Prepare yourself by calming the mind and living honestly; small ethical choices make you more ready for deeper insight.
- When you receive clarity, let it change your actions—respond with compassion and steadiness rather than pride or fear.
Reflection Question
Am I willing to let go of my small, fixed ideas so I can see a deeper truth?