Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 15

English Translation

Arjuna said O God, I see in Your body all the gods as also hosts of (various) classes of beings; Brahma the ruler, sitting on a lotus seat, and all the heavely sages and serpents.

Detailed Commentary

Arjuna's divine vision, bestowed by the Lord, is so unique that he perceives the *Devatas* and their realms directly before him. Along with the *Triloki* (three worlds), its creator Brahma, preserver Vishnu, and destroyer Mahesh are also directly visible. Arjuna states that he sees all the *Devatas*, beings, and Brahma, as well as Shankara. 'Brahmanam-īśam Kamalāsanastham' (Brahma, the Lord, seated on the lotus) -- Arjuna says that he sees Brahmaji, seated on the lotus, which proves that he also sees the lotus stalk and its origin, meaning the fundamental support, Lord Vishnu. Furthermore, Arjuna perceives Lord Shankara, His Kailash mountain, and His abode situated there. 'Ṛṣīnśca sarvān uragānśca divyān' (All the Ṛṣis and divine serpents) -- Arjuna also sees the *Ṛṣis* residing on Earth and the divine serpents dwelling in *Pātāla Loka*. This proves that he does not see Svarga (heaven), Mṛtyu (mortal world), and Pātāla (netherworld) -- these *Triloki* -- as separate, but rather all appearing simultaneously. Following the Lord's words, Arjuna prays that he may behold the entire universe situated in one place within the Lord's body. With the divine vision granted by Vedavyasa, Sanjaya also states the same, that Arjuna saw the entire universe within the Lord's body. The Lord used the term '*ekastham*' (situated in one place) because He was manifesting the *Viśvarūpa* (universal form) in one part of His body. Sanjaya also witnesses this, and therefore uses the term '*ekastham*'. It is not possible to see the *Viśvarūpa* in any specific part of the Lord's body, because infinite *brahmāṇḍas* (universes) reside in every pore of His body. Therefore, wherever Arjuna's gaze fell, he began to perceive the complete *Viśvarūpa*.