Chapter 11 Verse 52-53
Viśhwarūp Darśhan Yog
श्री भगवानुवाच सुदुर्दर्शमिदं रूपं दृष्टवानसि यन्मम। देवा अप्यस्य रूपस्य नित्यं दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः।।11.52।। नाहं वेदैर्न तपसा न दानेन न चेज्यया। शक्य एवंविधो द्रष्टुं दृष्टवानसि मां यथा।।11.53।।
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha su-durdarśham idaṁ rūpaṁ dṛiṣhṭavān asi yan mama devā apy asya rūpasya nityaṁ darśhana-kāṅkṣhiṇaḥ nāhaṁ vedair na tapasā na dānena na chejyayā śhakya evaṁ-vidho draṣhṭuṁ dṛiṣhṭavān asi māṁ yathā
Word Meanings
| śhrī-bhagavān uvācha | the Supreme Lord said |
| su-durdarśham | exceedingly difficult to behold |
| idam | this |
| rūpam | form |
| dṛiṣhṭavān asi | that you are seeing |
| yat | which |
| mama | of mine |
| devāḥ | the celestial gods |
| api | even |
| asya | this |
| rūpasya | form |
| nityam | eternally |
| darśhana-kāṅkṣhiṇaḥ | aspiring to see |
| na | never |
| aham | I |
| vedaiḥ | by study of the Vedas |
| na | never |
| tapasā | by serious penances |
| na | never |
| dānena | by charity |
| na | never |
| cha | also |
| ijyayā | by worship |
| śhakyaḥ | it is possible |
| evam-vidhaḥ | like this |
| draṣhṭum | to see |
| dṛiṣhṭavān | seeing |
| asi | you are |
| mām | me |
| yathā | as |
Translation
The Blessed Lord said, "It is very hard indeed to see this form of Mine which thou hast seen; even the gods are ever longing to behold it." Neither by the Vedas, nor by austerity, nor by gift, nor by sacrifice can I be seen in this form as thou hast seen Me so easily.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Krishna tells Arjuna that the cosmic form he has shown is extremely hard to see. Even gods long to behold it, yet rarely can they.
He explains that no amount of scriptural learning, penance, gifts, or ritual worship by itself can reveal this divine vision. Such outer acts are not enough to force that inner seeing.
The verse points to the role of grace and inner readiness. True spiritual sight comes when the heart is open, surrendered, and touched by the divine—not only from doing religious tasks.
Life Application
- Focus on honest inner work (quiet reflection, sincere prayer, or simple devotion) rather than counting only outward rituals.
- Keep regular small practices—study, meditation, selfless service—to soften the heart and make it receptive to insight.
- Cultivate humility and surrender: be willing to receive guidance and grace instead of trying to control spiritual results.
Reflection Question
Am I relying mainly on outer actions, or am I opening my heart to receive deeper insight and grace?