Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 21

English Translation

Those very groups of gods enter into You; struck with fear, some extol (You) with joined palms. Groups of great sages and perfected beings praise You with elaborate hymns,saying 'May it be well!'

Detailed Commentary

'Indeed, these hosts of *devas* enter You'—When Arjuna had journeyed to Svarga (heaven), he became acquainted with certain *devas*; it is for these very *devas* that Arjuna here states that they are entering Your very being. All these *devas* originate from You alone, abide in You alone, and ultimately enter into You alone. 'Some, struck with fear, praise with folded hands'—Among those *devas* whose lifespan is still extensive, they (within the Virāt Rūpa) are, upon witnessing terrifying forms like Nṛsiṃha, fearfully praising Your Name, Form, Lilā (divine play), Guṇas (attributes), etc., with folded hands. Although the *devas* are praising Bhagavān out of fear of seeing Avatāras like Nṛsiṃha and of *Kāla rūpa* (the form of Time as death) (all of which are integral parts of the Virāt Rūpa); Arjuna, however, perceives that they are praising Him out of fear upon seeing Bhagavān's Virāt Rūpa itself. 'The hosts of great sages and perfected beings, saying "Svasti!" (May there be welfare!), praise You with abundant hymns'—The Saptarṣis, Devarṣis, Maharṣis, Sanaka and others, along with the *devas*, are performing *Svasti-vachan* (proclamations of welfare and auspiciousness), and Your praises are being sung through excellent *stotras*.