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Having heard so much about Krishna's glories, Arjuna asks Krishna to reveal his splendour, his vishwaroopa or Cosmic Form. Krishna readily grants his wish. However, Krishna tells Arjuna that he cannot see the Cosmic Form with normal eyes; hence he gives him divine eyes with which Arjuna would be able to see the Universal Form. In other words, this is no ordinary perception, it is a kind of visualisation. 
Expand your mind and you see a wondrous, amazing world. There are profound dimensions that elude a self-centred person. Thus, only two people - Arjuna and Sanjaya - see this vision on the battlefield at Kurukshetra where thousands of warriors were readying for battle. These two were granted the extraordinary sight by Krishna and Vyasa respectively.
Arjuna is awestruck, dumbfounded, by this magnificent display. He needs time to digest this experience. Sanjaya steps in and captures the majesty and awesome power of that Divine Being.
This is one of the rare moments a sincere seeker is blessed with when the veil lifts to reveal the beauty and grandeur that lies beyond. It inspires devotion and renews one's conviction. But these flashes cannot be sustained. You need to go back to your own level and work yourself up to find this magnificence in everyday life, always.
A spectacular vision
Krishna shows Arjuna a synoptic view of the entire universe. Arjuna sees countless wonderful forms in divine robes, adorned with divine ornaments, with the effulgence and radiance of a thousand suns, all resting in the body of the god of gods. Filled with amazement, Arjuna bows down with folded hands and goes on to describe this spectacular vision. Arjuna now understands Krishna as the embodiment of the Divine Force. He is not just the dear friend he had mistaken him for. He remembers the times he spent with Krishna, addressing him as O Krsna, O friend - unaware of his greatness. He begs forgiveness for inadvertently disrespecting Him.
Krishna comes up with a display of raw power, all-devouring and fearful. Arjuna sees the worlds getting pulverised. Flames blazing from his mouths consume the universe. Arjuna sees Dhritarashtra and all his allies including Bhisma, Drona and Karna as well as his own heroes getting destroyed. He asks Krishna - Who are you? Why are you so fierce? Krishna answers - I am the destroyer of the worlds. I have already killed these warriors. You are merely an instrument. Rise, therefore, kill the enemies, win fame and enjoy this vast kingdom. In other words, the law of dharma prevails. The Kaurava forces have asked for destruction. They have to meet their end. Arjuna is not the one who kills them. He is only the instrument of the law.
The benevolent form
Overcome with fear at the sight of this terrible form, Arjuna asks Krishna to go back to his gentle form. In his enthusiasm he has asked for more than he can digest. He now wants to see the benevolent form of Vishnu. Sanjaya sees the same vision but is not afraid. He has the strength to understand the fearful form of the Lord. He is exhilarated, inspired and speaks with reverence and adoration.
Krishna tells Arjuna: Nobody else has seen this dazzling vision. A great deal of effort is needed to obtain Self-knowledge. You are the only one to have seen it through my mystic power. Krishna then shows his four-armed form of Vishnu, his gentle nature. Chapter XI of the Gita ends with Krishna underscoring the rare privilege earned by Arjuna. "Even the gods long to see this form which cannot be seen by mere spiritual practices. But by single-pointed devotion I can be seen, known in essence, and entered. One who acts for Me, is devoted to Me and regards Me as supreme, obtains Me."
Expand your mind and you see a wondrous, amazing world. There are profound dimensions that elude a self-centred person. Thus, only two people - Arjuna and Sanjaya - see this vision on the battlefield at Kurukshetra where thousands of warriors were readying for battle. These two were granted the extraordinary sight by Krishna and Vyasa respectively.
Arjuna is awestruck, dumbfounded, by this magnificent display. He needs time to digest this experience. Sanjaya steps in and captures the majesty and awesome power of that Divine Being.
This is one of the rare moments a sincere seeker is blessed with when the veil lifts to reveal the beauty and grandeur that lies beyond. It inspires devotion and renews one's conviction. But these flashes cannot be sustained. You need to go back to your own level and work yourself up to find this magnificence in everyday life, always.
A spectacular vision
Krishna shows Arjuna a synoptic view of the entire universe. Arjuna sees countless wonderful forms in divine robes, adorned with divine ornaments, with the effulgence and radiance of a thousand suns, all resting in the body of the god of gods. Filled with amazement, Arjuna bows down with folded hands and goes on to describe this spectacular vision. Arjuna now understands Krishna as the embodiment of the Divine Force. He is not just the dear friend he had mistaken him for. He remembers the times he spent with Krishna, addressing him as O Krsna, O friend - unaware of his greatness. He begs forgiveness for inadvertently disrespecting Him.
Krishna comes up with a display of raw power, all-devouring and fearful. Arjuna sees the worlds getting pulverised. Flames blazing from his mouths consume the universe. Arjuna sees Dhritarashtra and all his allies including Bhisma, Drona and Karna as well as his own heroes getting destroyed. He asks Krishna - Who are you? Why are you so fierce? Krishna answers - I am the destroyer of the worlds. I have already killed these warriors. You are merely an instrument. Rise, therefore, kill the enemies, win fame and enjoy this vast kingdom. In other words, the law of dharma prevails. The Kaurava forces have asked for destruction. They have to meet their end. Arjuna is not the one who kills them. He is only the instrument of the law.
The benevolent form
Overcome with fear at the sight of this terrible form, Arjuna asks Krishna to go back to his gentle form. In his enthusiasm he has asked for more than he can digest. He now wants to see the benevolent form of Vishnu. Sanjaya sees the same vision but is not afraid. He has the strength to understand the fearful form of the Lord. He is exhilarated, inspired and speaks with reverence and adoration.
Krishna tells Arjuna: Nobody else has seen this dazzling vision. A great deal of effort is needed to obtain Self-knowledge. You are the only one to have seen it through my mystic power. Krishna then shows his four-armed form of Vishnu, his gentle nature. Chapter XI of the Gita ends with Krishna underscoring the rare privilege earned by Arjuna. "Even the gods long to see this form which cannot be seen by mere spiritual practices. But by single-pointed devotion I can be seen, known in essence, and entered. One who acts for Me, is devoted to Me and regards Me as supreme, obtains Me."
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