Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 49

English Translation

May you have no fear, and may not there be bewilderment by seeing this form of Mine so terrible Becoming free from fear and gladdened in mind again, see this very earlier form of Mine.

Detailed Commentary

।।11.49।। Explanation: "मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो दृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्ममेदम्" – Seeing My terrifying form, you should not feel any sorrow, but rather joy. Earlier you were pleased by witnessing My grace; similarly, remain pleased even now. Arjuna had previously said that his mind was distressed by fear. Bhagavan explains to him that this form is due to My grace, and you should not be disturbed. I am showing you this form out of My own delight. Your saying, "Be pleased," is your delusion. Your *moha* (delusion) has not yet ended; abandoning it, become *nirbhaya* (fearless) and joyful, and behold My divine form. The dialogue between you and Me should be filled with *ānanda* (bliss); there is no place for fear or delusion in it. This fear, even at a subconscious level, arises from the *ahaṅkāra* (ego) and *moha* associated with the body. Abandoning this, become *nirbhaya*. Those who possess complete *prema* (love) for Bhagavan within themselves are *nirbhaya*. Prahlāda-ji was not afraid even upon seeing Bhagavan's terrifying form, because his heart was filled with *prema* for Bhagavan. "व्यपेतभीः प्रीतमनाः पुनस्त्वं तदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य" – Bhagavan tells Arjuna to abandon fear and, with a joyful mind, behold My form once again. By '*tadeva*' (that very one), it is implied that you should see the form you desire. Bhagavan grants Arjuna *divya-dṛṣṭi* (divine vision) so that he may behold His various forms. Sañjaya's *divya-dṛṣṭi* was granted at the beginning of the war, and it ceased at the end. Arjuna was granted *divya-dṛṣṭi* upon offering salutations while eulogizing Bhagavan. This confirms that Arjuna's *divya-dṛṣṭi* remained intact up to this point. His *divya-dṛṣṭi* departs only when his *moha* completely ceases. By valuing his *viveka-dṛṣṭi* (discriminating wisdom/vision), a human being can remain free from sorrow and fear. When entangled in *moha*, *viveka* (discrimination) becomes ineffectual, leading one to engage in immoral actions. If *moha* is abandoned and *viveka* is embraced, one can become the cause of one's own salvation and that of society. Connection: Sañjaya describes the form that Bhagavan had shown Arjuna in the previous verse, in the next verse.