Chapter 11, Verse 40 (Bhagavad Gita 11.40)
Chapter 11: Viśhwarūp Darśhan Yog – Yoga through Beholding the Cosmic Form of God
Sanskrit Shloka
नमः पुरस्तादथ पृष्ठतस्ते नमोऽस्तु ते सर्वत एव सर्व। अनन्तवीर्यामितविक्रमस्त्वं सर्वं समाप्नोषि ततोऽसि सर्वः
Transliteration
namaḥ purastād atha pṛiṣhṭhatas te namo ’stu te sarvata eva sarva ananta-vīryāmita-vikramas tvaṁ sarvaṁ samāpnoṣhi tato ’si sarvaḥ
Word Meanings
namaḥ—offering salutations; purastāt—from the front; atha—and; pṛiṣhṭhataḥ—the rear; te—to you; namaḥ astu—I offer my salutations; te—to you; sarvataḥ—from all sides; eva—indeed; sarva—all; ananta-vīrya—infinite power; amita-vikramaḥ—infinite valor and might; tvam—you; sarvam—everything; samāpnoṣhi—pervade; tataḥ—thus; asi—(you) are; sarvaḥ—everything
Translation
Salutations to You in front and behind! Salutations to You on every side! O All! You, infinite in power and prowess, pervade all; therefore You are all.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound moment, Arjuna realizes that Shri Krishna is not merely his friend, but the limitless Supreme Being who encompasses all existence. By acknowledging that Shri Krishna resides before, behind, and in every direction, Arjuna transcends the illusion of duality, recognizing the Lord as the underlying fabric of the entire cosmos. This revelation teaches the seeker that God is not a distant entity, but the omnipresent reality within and without every living soul. Embracing this truth leads to the surrender of the ego, as one begins to see Shri Krishna’s divine form in all creatures. Through this surrender, the soul is liberated from the cycle of birth and death, attaining union with the Eternal Lord.