Chapter 11, Verse 39 (Bhagavad Gita 11.39)
Chapter 11: Viśhwarūp Darśhan Yog – Yoga through Beholding the Cosmic Form of God
Sanskrit Shloka
वायुर्यमोऽग्निर्वरुणः शशाङ्कः प्रजापतिस्त्वं प्रपितामहश्च। नमो नमस्तेऽस्तु सहस्रकृत्वः पुनश्च भूयोऽपि नमो नमस्ते
Transliteration
vāyur yamo ’gnir varuṇaḥ śhaśhāṅkaḥ prajāpatis tvaṁ prapitāmahaśh cha namo namas te ’stu sahasra-kṛitvaḥ punaśh cha bhūyo ’pi namo namas te
Word Meanings
vāyuḥ—the god of wind; yamaḥ—the god of death; agniḥ—the god of fire; varuṇaḥ—the god of water; śhaśha-aṅkaḥ—the moon-God; prajāpatiḥ—Brahma; tvam—you; prapitāmahaḥ—the great-grandfather; cha—and; namaḥ—my salutations; namaḥ—my salutations; te—unto you; astu—let there be; sahasra-kṛitvaḥ—a thousand times; punaḥ cha—and again; bhūyaḥ—again; api—also; namaḥ—(offering) my salutations; namaḥ te—offering my salutations unto you
Translation
You are Vayu, Yama, Agni, Varuna, the Moon, the Creator, and the great-grandfather. Salutations to You a thousand times, and again and again, salutations to You.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound moment, Arjuna recognizes that Shri Krishna is not merely a charioteer but the absolute substratum of the entire universe. By identifying Shri Krishna with the cosmic controllers like Vayu and Agni, Arjuna acknowledges that every force in nature derives its existence and power solely from the Supreme Lord. This realization shifts the seeker's perspective from seeing a fragmented world to witnessing the singular divine presence governing all of creation. It is an invitation to total surrender, where the devotee bows down repeatedly, shedding the ego to merge into the infinite consciousness of Shri Krishna. Through this act of devotion, one attains the realization that the Lord is both the source and the destination of all beings, paving the path to liberation.