Category:Arjuna Sees God's Universal Form
Theme Analysis
The revelation of the viśva-rūpa, or universal form, is one of the most dramatic moments in the Bhagavad-gītā. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda carefully explains that a pure devotee like Arjuna has no inherent interest in seeing God in such a massive, terrifying, and materially manifested way. A devotee is entirely satisfied with the beautiful, two-handed, original form of Kṛṣṇa. Arjuna requested this vision solely to establish a standard or criterion. Knowing that in the age of Kali many imposters would claim to be incarnations of God, Arjuna wanted to demonstrate that anyone claiming divinity must be able to display the entire universe within their body.
Because the universal form is not an object of love but rather one of awe and reverence, Arjuna's reaction to seeing it was one of fear and disturbance. Overwhelmed by the unlimited arms, mouths, and the sight of warriors rushing into the Lord's blazing mouths, Arjuna suddenly remembered his intimate, friendly dealings with Kṛṣṇa. Fearing he had committed offenses by treating the Supreme Lord as an ordinary friend, he offered profound apologies. This illustrates that while the universal form establishes the Lord's absolute power over the cosmos, it actually suppresses the sweet, intimate relationships (rasas) shared between the Lord and His pure devotees.
To perceive this temporary, cosmic manifestation, Arjuna had to be endowed with special divine vision, as mundane eyes cannot behold it. Interestingly, by the grace of great sages like Vyāsadeva, others such as Sañjaya and certain elevated beings in higher planetary systems were also permitted to witness this historic revelation. Ultimately, the episode concludes with Kṛṣṇa mercifully withdrawing the frightening viśva-rūpa and returning to His comforting, original personal form, much to Arjuna's relief.
- A Test for Imposters: Arjuna requested the universal form not for personal satisfaction, but to set a criterion for the future so people could test anyone falsely claiming to be God.
- The Requirement of Divine Vision: The universal form cannot be seen through mundane endeavor, severe penances, or academic study; it was revealed to Arjuna and a select few solely by the merciful grace of the Lord.
- Fear and Apology: The awesome and terrifying nature of the universal form disrupted Arjuna's friendly sentiments, causing him to fearfully apologize for his past familiarity with Kṛṣṇa.
- The Supremacy of the Personal Form: After satisfying Arjuna's request and establishing His cosmic authority, Kṛṣṇa reverted to His original, beautiful two-handed form, which is the true object of the devotee's love.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Arjuna Sees God's Universal Form - Establishing the Ultimate Criterion.
Pages in category "Arjuna Sees God's Universal Form"
The following 42 pages are in this category, out of 42 total.
A
- After seeing that universal form, he (Arjuna) is afraid that he has committed so many offenses to Krsna out of his unalloyed friendship. Thus his mind is disturbed out of fear, although he had no reason to fear. BG 1972 purports
- Although Arjuna has seen the opulence in the universal form, he could not forget his friendly relationship with Krsna. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna desired to see the four-handed form of Lord Krsna as Visnu, and he was actually afraid of the universal form. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna is very joyful to see that his friend, Krsna, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and can show such a wonderful universal form. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna saw, He (God's Universal Form) was garlanded gloriously, and there were many scents smeared over His body. All was magnificent, all-expanding, unlimited. This was seen by Arjuna. BG 11.10-11 - 1972
- Arjuna wanted to see Krsna in His universal form, which, although a transcendental form, is just manifested for the cosmic manifestation and is therefore subject to the temporary time of this material nature. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna wanted to see the universal form of the Supreme Lord, so out of His mercy upon His devotee Arjuna, Lord Krsna showed His universal form full of effulgence and opulence. BG 1972 purports
- Arjuna, as a pure devotee of the Lord, never previously saw the contemplated universal form of the Lord (visva-rupa), but when he did see it, his curiosities were satisfied
- Arjuna, as a pure devotee of the Lord, never previously saw the contemplated universal form of the Lord but when he did see it, his curiosities were satisfied. But he was not happy to see such a form of the Lord because of his attachment as a pure devotee
- As far as a devotee is concerned, he is not eager to see the universal form, but because Arjuna wanted to see Krsna in this way, Krsna reveals this form
- As far as a devotee is concerned, he is not eager to see the universal form, but because Arjuna wanted to see Krsna in this way, Krsna reveals this form. BG 1972 purports
- As far as Arjuna is concerned, he is inspired by the statements of Krsna, but in order to convince others in the future who may think that Krsna is an ordinary person, he desires to see Him actually in His universal form. BG 1972 purports
- At that time Arjuna could see in the universal form of the Lord the unlimited expansions of the universe situated in one place although divided into many, many thousands. BG 11.13 - 1972
H
- He (Krsna) can understand that Arjuna wants to see the universal form to convince others. He did not have any personal desire for confirmation. BG 1972 purports
- He (the Lord) can understand that Arjuna has no special desire to see Him in His universal form, for he is completely satisfied to see Him in His personal form of Krsna. BG 1972 purports
- He can understand that Arjuna has no special desire to see Him in His universal form, for Arjuna is completely satisfied to see Him in His personal form of Krsna
I
- I (Arjuna) see all people rushing full speed into Your (the Universal Form) mouths, as moths dash to destruction in a blazing fire
- In the Bhagavad-gita Krsna showed Arjuna His universal form because Arjuna was His very dear friend. Upon seeing Krsna as the Lord of the universes, however, Arjuna asked Krsna to forgive the familiarity of his friendship - CC Intro
- In the Eleventh Chapter Arjuna requested Krsna that "If you think, You can show me Your universal form," so that in future others will accept some bogus rascal as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he may test by seeing
- In the Eleventh Chapter, after having seen the universal form, Arjuna tells Krsna - I have in the past addressed You as 'O Krsna,' 'O Yadava,' 'O my friend,' without knowing Your glories. Please forgive whatever I may have done in madness or in love
- It (universal form of Krsna) was exhibited to Arjuna only, yet some great devotees could also see the universal form of Krsna when it was shown to Arjuna, and Vyasa was one of them. BG 1972 purports
- It appears that not only Arjuna saw this universal form of the Lord, but others in other planetary systems also saw it. The vision was not a dream. All who were spiritually awake with the divine vision saw it. BG 1972 purports
- It appears that Sanjaya also, by the grace of Vyasa, could see the universal form of Krsna exhibited to Arjuna. It is, of course, said that Lord Krsna never exhibited such a form before. BG 1972 purports
O
- O Arjuna, whatever you wish to see, behold at once in this body of Mine! This universal form can show you whatever you now desire to see and whatever you may want to see in the future
- O Lord of the universe, O universal form, I (Arjuna) see in Your body many, many arms, bellies, mouths and eyes, expanded everywhere, without limit. I see in You no end, no middle and no beginning
- One can perform all these, can accept bodily penances, give charity, study the Vedas, etc., but unless he is a devotee like Arjuna, it is not possible to see that universal form. BG 1972 purports
- One day Advaita Acarya Prabhu requested Caitanya Mahaprabhu to display the universal form He had very kindly shown Arjuna. Lord Caitanya agreed to this proposal, and Advaita Prabhu was fortunate enough to see the universal form of the Lord
- Others on the battlefield could not see this form (Krsna's universal form) because Krsna gave the vision only to Arjuna. Arjuna could see in the body of Krsna many thousands of universes. BG 1972 purports
T
- The fact is that the devotee is not concerned to see the visva-rupa, the universal form, but Arjuna wanted to see it to substantiate Krsna's statement so that in the future people could understand. BG 1972 purports
- The Lord gave Arjuna the necessary power to see His universal form because He knew that Arjuna did not particularly want to see it. BG 1972 purports
- The purpose of the revelation of the universal form was shown; now Arjuna wanted to see the four-armed form, and Krsna showed him. BG 1972 purports
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, happily have I shown you, by My internal potency, this supreme universal form within the material world. No one before you has ever seen this primal form, unlimited and full of glaring effulgence
- The universal form of Krsna is not very important; that will be clear in the verses (of BG 11). Yet because Arjuna wanted to see it, the Lord gives him the particular vision required to see that universal form. BG 1972 purports
- There are innumerable forms. But Arjuna knew that Krsna is the original Personality of Godhead assuming His temporary universal form. He is now asking to see the form of Narayana, a spiritual form. BG 1972 purports
- To see the universal form of Krsna, Arjuna is told not to change his mind but his vision. BG 1972 purports
U
- Upon seeing the awesome universal form of Krsna, Arjuna said: I have dishonored You many times while relaxing or while lying on the same bed or eating together, sometimes alone and sometimes in front of many friends. Please excuse me for all my offenses
- Upon seeing the awesome universal form of Krsna, Arjuna said: I have in the past addressed You as 'O Krsna,' 'O Yadava,' 'O my friend,' without knowing Your glories. Please forgive whatever I may have done in madness or in love