Oct 6, 2009, 12.00am IST
Jaya Row.
Arjuna has heard of Krishna's divine glories. He now wants to see for himself the One Universal Form. He asks Krishna to reveal his splendour and his wish is granted. However, He tells Arjuna that he would not be able to see this Form with normal eyes and gives him divine eyes with which the universal Form would be visible.
This is no ordinary perception. It is a visualisation. Thus, only two people Arjuna and Sanjaya see this vision in the battlefield of Kurukshetra that had thousands of warriors; this was possible because of their extraordinary powers of vision, granted to them by Krishna and Vyasa respectively.
This is one of the rare moments a sincere seeker is blessed with when the veil lifts, revealing 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 level and work yourself up to find this magnificence in your everyday life, always.
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 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 as friends, 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 karma 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 law.
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 assimilate. 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 now shows His four-armed form of Vishnu, His gentle and gorgeous nature. The chapter ends with Krishna underscoring the rare privilege earned by Arjuna. Even the gods long to see this form that cannot be seen by mere spiritual practice. Krishna says He can be seen with single-pointed devotion; His essence can be known and entered. ''One who acts for Me, is devoted to Me and regards Me as Supreme obtains Me.''
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