Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 7

English Translation

See now, O gudakesa, O Gudakesa (Arjuna), the entire Universe together with the moving and the non-moving, concentrated at the same place here in My body, as also whatever else you would like to see.

Detailed Commentary

।।11.7।। Elucidation — The term 'Guḍākeśa' signifies that Arjuna has conquered sleep. Here, this address implies that you should behold My Viśvarūpa (Universal Form) with careful attention, devoid of any laziness. "Behold here and now, in this body, the entire mobile and immobile universe." In the tenth chapter, the Lord had stated, "I pervade and sustain the entire universe with but a single fraction of Myself." It was upon hearing this that the desire to behold the Viśvarūpa arose in Arjuna's mind. Therefore, the Lord says, "Behold everything within a part of My body." To see in one place means that wherever you cast your gaze, infinite universes will become visible. Behold all beings, mobile and immobile – humans, Devas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Bhūtas, animals, birds, and others – right now. "And whatever else you wish to see" — In the Lord's body, all events of all times were present. Therefore, the Lord says, "Whatever you wish to see, behold that too." Arjuna harbored doubts concerning the outcome of the war. Therefore, the Lord says, "You may behold even this within a part of My body." A Special Point Just as in the tenth chapter, the Lord said, "He who knows My Vibhūti (divine glories) and Yoga (mystic power) attains unwavering Bhakti-yoga (devotional union) with Me," upon which Arjuna inquired about the Vibhūtis. Similarly, when the Lord stated, "The entire universe is situated in a single fraction of Me," Arjuna prayed for the manifestation of the Viśvarūpa. Had the Lord not said this, Arjuna would not have desired to behold the Viśvarūpa. This proves that the Lord, out of His grace, desired to reveal His Viśvarūpa to Arjuna. A similar instance occurred at the beginning of the Bhagavad Gītā. When Arjuna requested to stop the chariot, the Lord positioned it before Bhīṣma and Droṇa and said, "Behold the Kurus." From this, it appears that the Lord, by His grace, wished to manifest the Gītā. Connection — The Lord, in three verses, used the word 'paśya' (behold/see) four times, urging Arjuna to look. Arjuna looks with eagerness, but is unable to perceive anything. Therefore, in the next verse, the Lord bestows Divya-dṛṣṭi (divine vision) upon Arjuna so that he may behold the Viśvarūpa.