CHAPTER 11: THE YOGA OF THE UNIVERSAL FORM

On the confrontation with the complete of His reality

(1) Arjuna said: 'The words that You spoke in Your favoring me concerning the confidential subject of the spiritual supreme - through them my illusion is removed. (2) I heard from You in detail about the appearance and disappearance of all living entities, oh lotus eyed one, and also about Your inexhaustible glories. (3) Even when You have spoken about this of Yours as it is, oh Supreme Lord, I wish to see Your divine form, oh Highest Personality. (4) If You think that it as such can be seen by me oh master, Lord of Yoga, then You show me Your universal Self.'

(5) The Supreme Lord said: 'Oh son of Prithâ, behold the hundreds and thousands of the variegated divine of My diverse forms and colors. (6) Just see the [twelve] Âdityas, [eight] Vasus, [eleven] Rudras, [two] As'vins [demigods for the longevity], [fourty-nine] Maruts as also the many of all the wonders you did not see before, oh best of the Bhâratas. (7) See here and now the universe completely, all at the same time, with all that moves and not moves, in this body of Mine, oh conqueror of sleep, and also whatever else you wish to see. (8) But surely you will never be able to see Me with your normal eyes; divine eyes I give you to perceive My Divine Union.'

(9) Sañjaya said: "Oh King, after having spoken thus, the Great Lord of Yoga, the Supreme Personality, showed Arjuna the beyond of the Universal Form. (10-11) Many mouths, eyes and many diverse wonderful sights, many divine ornaments, and a variety of uplifted weapons, heavenly garlands and the wear of dresses with divine fragrances and ointments, were all wonderful and shining, extending to all sides. (12) If there were the light of the simultaneous presence of many thousands of suns in the sky, such might resemble the effulgence of Him, the Greatness of the Soul. (13) There Arjuna then could, in the universal form of the God of Gods, see in one the complete universe divided in many. (14) Thereafter, being overwhelmed with wonder and his hair standing on end, the conqueror of wealth offered the God with folded hands his obeisances, bowing his head and began to speak.

(15) Arjuna said: 'I see all the gods and all living entities assembled in Your body, oh Lord; Lord Brahmâ seated on the lotus and Lord S'iva, and also the great sages and all serpents. (16) Many arms, trunks, mouths and eyes I see, on all sides I see an unlimited form with no end, no middle nor again Your beginning, oh Lord of the Universe, oh Universal Form. (17) With crowns, maces and discs and an effulgence on all sides I have difficulty seeing You glowing everywhere as the immeasurable blazing fire of the radiating sun. (18) You are to be understood as the Infallible Supreme of this universe, You are the basis of the beyond, You are the inexhaustible maintainer of all religion and the eternal Original Personality You are - that is what I think. (19) Without a beginning, middle or end, of unlimited glories, with countless arms and with the sun and moon for eyes, I see that by Your radiance out of Your mouth a blazing fire comes that heats this universe. (20) For sure all that is between heaven and earth is pervaded by You alone and by seeing all this of Your wonderful form in all directions, the three worlds are trembling, oh Great Soul. (21) The host of theists for certain enter You while some of them out of fear are offering prayers with folded hands. The great sages in that exclaim 'all Hail' and the perfected groupwise pray to You by singing hymns. (22) The terrifying ones (Rudras), the godly (Âdityas), the rulers of the elements (Vasus), all those and the refined (Sâdhyas), the virtuous (Vis'vadevas), the elderly (of the As'vins), the flashing ones (Maruts), the forefathers and the celestial beings (Gandharvas); the spirits (Yakshas), atheists (Asuras) and the whole gathering of perfected devotees (Siddhas) are certainly beholding You all in awe and wonder. (23) Seeing this unimaginably great form of You with its many faces and eyes, oh mighty armed one; its many arms, thighs and legs; its many bellies and many dreadful teeth, all the worlds are perturbed, just as I am. (24) Seeing this way You touching the sky glowing with many colors, open mouths and wide open shining eyes, I am unsettled within and unable to keep my composure and peace of mind, oh Vishnu. (25) Seeing thus Your terrifying teeth and faces like the fire at the end of time, I lose my sense of direction and find myself nailed to the ground; oh Lord of Lords, refuge of the worlds, have mercy! (26-27) In this of You I also see Dhritarâshthra with all his sons and the scores of warrior kings and Bhîshmadeva, Dronâcârya and Karna together with also our chief warriors rushing into Your mouth where some of them I see with crushed skulls caught between the frightening, dreadful teeth. (28) As the multitude of streams that inevitably glide towards the waves of the sea, similarly all these human heroes of this world enter into the mouths fiery. (29) As moths heading full speed for destruction into a blazing fire, the same way all people also full speed enter your mouths to find destruction. (30) Licking, You devour the people from all directions with Your flaming mouths covering the universe with all the terribly scorching rays of Your effulgence, oh Vishnu. (31) Please explain me who You, in this fearsome form, are. I offer You, oh great God, my obeisances, be so good to me; I wish to know the original of You as I surely do not comprehend Your mission.'

(32) The Supreme Lord said: 'Time I am the great destroyer of the worlds engaged here in destroying all people, except for you [brothers] only, all the soldiers who are situated on both sides, will find their end. (33) Therefore you must get up and gain fame conquering the enemies and enjoy the kingdom flourishing by Me; for sure all these were destined to be killed, be merely the instrument of that, oh left-handed one. (34) Drona, Bhîshma and Jayadratha, Karna and others - these great warriors surely have been killed by Me already; destroy and do not worry, just fight and so doing you will conquer your enemies.' "

(35) Sañjaya said: "Thus hearing the speech of Kes'ava, with folded hands and trembling, the crowned one [Arjuna] offered prayers again and spoke to Krishna with a faltering voice bowing before Him. (36) Arjuna said: 'Rightly, oh master of the senses, by Your glories the entire world rejoices and gets attached: the demoniac out of fear flee in all directions, while the chores of the perfected offer their respects. (37) And why should they not respect You, oh great Soul better than Brahmâ, isn't it because as the Original Creator, oh unlimited God of gods and refuge of the universe, You are imperishable and transcendental to cause and effect? (38) You are the original God and person, the oldest of this universe, the transcendental refuge and the knower; You are the knowable, the beyond and the abode, by You the universe is pervaded oh infinite form! (39) You are the controller of the air, the fire, the water and the moon, You are the Brahmâ and the great grandfather, again and again I offer You my respects; a thousand times over and over I offer You My obeisances. (40) Heil to the front and to the back of You, unto You I offer my respects indeed from all sides because You are everything, the infinite power and the boundless might; everything is covered by You and therefore You are everything. (41-42) Presumptuously thinking as a friend I said: "Oh Krishna, oh Yâdava [descendant from the Yadu-dynasty], oh dear friend" and so; nor of my foolishness nor of my love, did I know of these glories of You. For whatever I also said joking dishonoring You, relaxing, lying down and sitting, while eating together and being alone with You, oh Infallible One, as also in the company of others, I ask forgiveness, oh Immeasurable One. (43) The father You are of all the worlds moving and nonmoving, of all this You are the venerable one and the teacher, never there is anyone equally glorious to You; how can others be greater than You in the three worlds, oh Incomparable Power? (44) Therefore prostrating my body, I pay You who I know as the venerable Supreme One my respect to beg Your mercy and tolerate me like a father should with his son, like a friend should with a friend and a lover should with his dearmost, my Lord. (45) I am glad to have seen what was never seen before, but my mind is also unsettled; be so gracious to show me Your form [again] oh God, Lord of Lords and refuge of the universe. (46) I wish to see You in the position with helmet, club and disc in Your hand; just take the four-handed form [also holding the conch and lotus], oh thousand-handed One, oh Universal Form.'

(47) The Supreme Lord said: 'From My grace for you Arjuna, this transcendental form of the oneness of My Self was shown; besides you no one saw this unlimited original form of Me, of the full effulgence of the entire universe, before. (48) Oh best of the Kuru-warriors, in this material world in this form no other than you could see this nor by Vedic sacrifice or study nor by charity and pious deeds or severe penances. (49) Don't be troubled, don't be bewildered seeing this horrible form, just see My form without fear and thus with a happy mind again as It is'."

(50) Sañjaya said: "Vâsudeva speaking that way of His own form showed Himself once more [as four armed] and became the great soul of His own beautiful [two armed] form again reassuring thus the fearful Arjuna. (51) Arjuna said: 'Seeing this very beautiful human form of You, oh chastiser of the enemies, I am now composed in mind and myself again.'

(52) The Supreme Lord said: 'This form of Mine as you have seen it is very difficult to see, even the demigods eternally aspire to see this form. (53) Never can I [as said] be seen by studying the Vedas, penances, by charity or worship, the way you saw Me. (54) Only through devotional service free from ulterior motives it is possible to know and see Me like this Arjuna, and factually get access, oh mighty armed one. (55) The one who is engaged in working for Me, with Me as the Supreme, in my devotional service free from materialistic association and enmity among the living beings, reaches Me, oh son of Pându.'

 

 



 

 

 

Filognostic* understanding of the Bhagavad Gîtâ of Order

Text 1

Arjuna said: 'The words that You spoke in Your favoring me concerning the confidential subject of the spiritual supreme - through them my illusion is removed.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Arjuna said: 'By the words of what you said with the purpose of favoring me concerning the confidentiality of the spiritual supreme, my illusion has been removed. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 2

I heard from You in detail about the appearance and disappearance of all living entities, oh lotus eyed one, and also about Your inexhaustible glories.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

I heard from you in detail about the appearance and disappearance of the living beings, oh lotus-eyed one, and you also spoke about your inexhaustible glories. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 3

Even when You have spoken about this of Yours as it is, oh Supreme Lord, I wish to see Your divine form, oh Highest Personality.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

After all your words concerning yourself, oh best of all persons, I cherish the wish to see your divine form the way it is, oh controller in the beyond. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 4

If You think that it as such can be seen by me oh master, Lord of Yoga, then You show me Your universal Self.'

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

So if you deem it possible for me to have that vision, oh master and controller of the unification within, then show me your imperishable self!' (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 5

The Supreme Lord said: 'Oh son of Prithâ, behold the hundreds and thousands of the variegated divine of My diverse forms and colors.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

The fortunate one said: 'Behold, oh son of Prithâ, the hundreds and thousands of my different, divine forms in all shapes and colors. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 6

Just see the [twelve] Âdityas, [eight] Vasus, [eleven] Rudras, [two] As'vins [ demigods for the longevity], [fourty-nine] Maruts as also the many of all the wonders you did not see before, oh best of the Bhâratas.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

See the personalities of wisdom, the personalities of wealth, the destroyers in the service of God, the healthcare agents, the gods and much more of the wonders you've never seen before, oh best one of the Kuru dynasty. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 7

See here and now the universe completely, all at the same time, with all that moves and not moves, in this body of Mine, oh conqueror of sleep, and also whatever else you wish to see.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

See here and now the completeness of the universe, with all that moves and not moves, rolled into one, within this one body of mine, oh conqueror of sleep, as also whatever more you wish to see. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 8

But certainly you will never be able to see Me with your normal eyes; divine eyes I give you to perceive My Divine Union.'

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

But of course you will not be able to see me as such with your own eyes, so I'll grant you the divine vision. Now witness the supreme union of my control!' " (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 9

Sañjaya said: "Oh King, after having spoken thus, the Great Lord of Yoga, the Supreme Personality, showed Arjuna the beyond of the Universal Form.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Sañjaya said: "Oh King, having spoken thus, the great lord in the unification of consciousness showed Prithâ's son the beyond of his form of control. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 10-11

Many mouths, eyes and many diverse wonderful sights, many divine ornaments, and a variety of uplifted weapons, heavenly garlands, the wear of dresses with divine fragrances and ointments, were all wonderful and shining, extending to all sides.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Many mouths, eyes and many diverse wonderful sights, many divine ornaments, and a variety of weapons ready for battle; heavenly flowers worn, all kinds of dresses and suits, and even divine, fragrant ointments, all wonderful and splendrous, could be seen extending to all sides. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 12

If there were the light of the simultaneous presence of many thousands of suns in the sky, such might resemble the effulgence of Him, the Greatness of the Soul.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

The effulgence that he, the greatness of the soul, had, resembled the light of thousands of suns, all at the same time present in the sky. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 13

There Arjuna then could, in the universal form of the God of Gods, see in one the complete universe divided in many.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Right there Arjuna could see, in the one universal form of the God of gods, all the diversity of the complete universe in one. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 14

Thereafter, being overwhelmed with wonder and his hair standing on end, the conqueror of wealth offered the God with folded hands his obeisances, bowing his head and began to speak.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Thereupon, with his hair standing on end, the conqueror of wealth began, overwhelmed by wonder, to pray, meanwhile with folded hands offering the godhead his respect. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 15

Arjuna said: 'I see all the gods and all living entities assembled in Your body, oh Lord; Lord Brahmâ seated on the lotus and Lord S'iva, and also the great sages and all serpents.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Arjuna said: 'I see, oh God, all the gods assembled in Your body, as also all other living entities; I see the Lord Brahmâ with the many faces and Lord S'iva sitting in the lotus position, as also all the seers and the serpent egos of divinity. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 16

Many arms, trunks, mouths and eyes I see, on all sides I see an unlimited form with no end, no middle nor again Your beginning, oh Lord of the Universe, oh Universal Form.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

In Your universal form, oh Lord of the creation, I see a multitude of faces, trunks, mouths and eyes on all sides, as part of an unlimited form which, indeed, has no beginning, no end nor a middle. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 17

With crowns, maces and discs and an effulgence on all sides I have difficulty seeing You glowing everywhere as the immeasurable blazing fire of the radiating sun.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

I see headdresses, weapons, and jewelry, and find it difficult to keep that vision in check which is glowing on all sides with an effulgence as immeasurable as the blazing fire of the radiating sun. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 18

You are to be understood as the Infallible Supreme of this universe, You are the basis of the beyond, You are the inexhaustible maintainer of all religion and the eternal Original Personality You are -that is what I think.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

You must be understood as the infallible supreme of this universe, the transcendental foundation, You are the inexhaustible maintainer of the path of righteousness, of dharma; You are the eternal original personality, that is what You are in my opinion! (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 19

Without a beginning, middle or end, of unlimited glories, with countless arms and with the sun and moon for eyes, I see that by Your radiance out of Your mouth a blazing fire comes that heats this universe.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

With You being of an unlimited glory, sourceless, endless and with no middle; with countless arms and with the sun and moon for Your eyes, I see, emanating from Your mouth, a blazing fire which torments the universe. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 20

For sure all that is between heaven and earth is pervaded by You alone and by seeing all this of Your wonderful form in all directions, the three worlds are trembling, oh Great Soul.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Sure enough everything between heaven and earth is pervaded by You, only You; and all the three worlds18 are perturbed at the sight of this wonderful and terrible form! (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 21

The host of theists for certain enter You while some of them out of fear are offering prayers with folded hands. The great sages in that exclaim 'all Hail' and the perfected groupwise pray to You by singing hymns.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Rows of believers enter You, to which some of them with folded hands are offering prayers to ward off the fear. The great sages exclaim 'All hail!' to this and the ones who attained perfection pray and sing many a hymn to Your honor. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 22

The terryfying ones (Rudras), the godly (Âdityas), the rulers of the elements (Vasus), all those and the refined (Sâdhyas), the virtuous (Vis'vadevas), the elderly (of the As'vins), the flashing ones (Maruts), the forefathers and the celestial beings (Gandharvas); the spirits (Yakshas), atheists (Asuras) and the whole gathering of perfected devotees (Siddhas) are certainly beholding You all in awe and wonder.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

The intimidating Rudras, the god-conscious Âdityas, the Vasus ruling the material, all those, as also the refined Sâdhyas, the all-divine Vis'vadevas and the healing As'vins; the famous Maruts, the forefathers and the Gandharva angels; the Yaksha spirits, the godless Asuras, and the whole Siddha gathering of accomplished devotees, have all turned their faces to You in awe and wonder. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 23

Seeing this unimaginably great form of You with its many faces and eyes, oh mighty armed one; its many arms, thighs and legs; its many bellies and many dreadful teeth, all the worlds are perturbed, just as I am.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

With the sight of this unimaginably great form of Yours with all its faces and eyes, oh man of the mightiest grip; its Kuru arms, thighs and feet; its many bellies and its Kuru dreadful teeth, I am as upset as all the worlds. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 24

Seeing this way You touching the sky glowing with many colors, open mouths and wide open shining eyes, I am unsettled within and unable to keep my composure and peace of mind, oh Vishnu.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Seeing You this way touching the sky with all Your colors, open mouths and wide open, shining eyes, I am, in a state of shock, unable to keep myself together and have a peaceful mind, oh God and maintainer. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 25

Seeing thus Your terrifying teeth and faces like the fire at the end of time, I lose my sense of direction and find myself nailed to the ground; oh Lord of Lords, refuge of the worlds, have mercy!

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

With before my eyes these terrifying teeth and faces of Yours, which appear like the fire at the end of time, have I, nailed to the ground, lost my sense of direction; please have mercy, oh Lord of lords and refuge of the worlds! (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 26-27

In this of You I also see Dhritarâshthra with all his sons and the scores of warrior kings and Bhîshmadeva, Dronâcârya and Karna together with also our chief warriors rushing into Your mouth where some of them I see with crushed skulls caught between the frightening, dreadful teeth.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

In the middle of this I see uncle Dhritarâshthra with all his sons and the ranks of rulers ready for the debate, as also grandpa Bhîshma, Drona and our half brother Karna, who together with also our commanders hurry into Your mouth, where I see how some of them by their head are caught between the frightening, dreadful teeth. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 28

As the multitude of streams that inevitably glide towards the waves of the sea, similarly all these human heroes of this world enter into the mouths fiery.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Like the streams of water which in waves, inevitably, flow into the ocean, similarly all these human authorities are full of fire entering Your mouths. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 29

As moths heading full speed for destruction into a blazing fire, the same way all people also full speed enter your mouths to find destruction.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Like moths that head in full full speed for their destruction into a blazing fire, all people entering Your mouths find themselves destroyed the same way. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 30

Licking, You devour the people from all directions with Your flaming mouths covering the universe with all the terribly scorching rays of Your effulgence, oh Vishnu.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Covering the entire universe with Your flaming mouths, You, licking on all sides, devour the people You scorch with Your terrible radiation, oh all-pervading Lordship. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 31

Please explain me who You, in this fearsome form, are. I offer You, oh great God, my obeisances, be so good to me; I wish to know the original of You as I surely do not to comprehend Your mission.'

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Please tell me who You, in this frightening form, are, oh Godhead, I offer You my obeisances; please be good to me, I would like to know Your original nature, for I'm missing the point of Your mission.' (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 32

The Supreme Lord said: 'Time I am the great destroyer of the worlds engaged here in destroying all people, except for you [brothers] only, all the soldiers who are situated on both sides, will find their end.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

The Fortunate One said: 'I am the time, the great destroyer of the world, who puts an end to the lives of all the people here; except for you and your brothers, everybody who gathered on both sides, will come to naught. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 33

Therefore you must get up and gain fame conquering the enemies and enjoy the kingdom flourishing by Me; for sure all these were destined to be killed, be merely the instrument of that, oh left-handed one.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

For that reason you must rise to your feet and go for the glory by defeating your opponents, so that you, flourishing by my grace, may enjoy the kingdom; the fact that all these would perish was written in the stars, just be the instrument of that providence, oh left-handed one. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 34

Drona, Bhîshma and Jayadratha, Karna and others - these great warriors surely have been killed by Me already, destroy and do not worry; just fight and so doing you will conquer your enemies.' "

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Drona, Bhîshma and Jayadratha, Karna and the other great warlords, you may reckon, are destroyed by me already, so put an end to their existence without a blink of an eye, just fight and in the battle you'll be the victor over your opponents.' " (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 35

Sañjaya said: "Thus hearing the speech of Kes'ava, with folded hands and trembling, the crowned one [Arjuna] offered prayers again and spoke to Krishna with a faltering voice bowing before Him.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Sañjaya said: "The next ruler in line who, with folded hands and trembling, thus heard the man of beauty speak, again offered prayers and addressed full of awe Krishna with a faltering voice. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 36

Arjuna said: ' Rightly, oh master of the senses, by Your glories the entire world rejoices and gets attached: the demoniac out of fear flee in all directions, while the chores of the perfected offer their respects.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Arjuna said: 'Right so, oh master of the senses, the entire world rejoices by, and is attached to, Your glories; while the ones of perfection gather to offer their respects, the evil ones frightened flee in all directions. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 37

And why should they not respect You, oh great Soul better than Brahmâ, isn't it because as the Original Creator, oh unilimited God of gods and refuge of the universe, You are imperishable and transcendental to cause and effect ?

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

And why shouldn't they, oh greatest soul better than Brahmâ, isn't it because You as the original doer, oh infinite one, oh God of the gods and refuge of the universe, can't perish in the beyond of all the true and untrue? (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 38

You are the original God and person, the oldest of this universe, the transcendental refuge and the knower; You are the knowable, the beyond and the abode, by You the universe is pevaded oh infinite form!

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

You are the original godhead, the oldest person, You are the transcendental refuge of this universe, You are the knower and the known, the beyond and the abode; You who in Your unlimited form pervades the entire cosmos. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 39

You are the controller of the air, the fire, the water and the moon, You are the Brahmâ and the great grandfather, again and again I offer You my respects; a thousand times over and over I offer You My obeisances.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

You, the rein, are the air, the fire and the water, the moon, the founding father and the great-grandfather. Again and again I offer You my respects, a thousand times over and over I offer You my obeisance. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 40

Heil to the front and to the back of You, unto You I offer my respects indeed from all sides because You are everything, the infinite power and the boudless might; everything is covered by You and therefore You are everything.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

From the front and from behind, I offer You my respects; indeed from all sides I do so because You are everything, the infinite power and the boundless might; by You everything is covered and therefore You are everything. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 41-42

Presumtuously thinking as a friend I said: "Oh Krishna, oh Yâdava [descendant from the Yadu-dynasty], oh dear friend" and so; nor of my foolishness nor of my love, did I know of these glories of You. For whatever I also said joking dishonoring You, relaxing, lying down and sitting, while eating together and being alone with You, oh Infallible One, as also in the company of others, I ask forgiveness, oh Immeasurable One.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Taking You for my friend, I importunely said things like 'hi Krishna', 'hi Yadu nephew', 'hi friend'. But I had no idea of Your glories, with all I did out of foolishness or out of love. For whatever I said in making fun of You, or ridiculing You, when we relaxed sitting together, laid down or when we were taking meals; or for whatever I've said being alone or in the company of others, oh infallible one, I beg Your immeasurable pardon! (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 43

The father You are of all the worlds moving and nonmoving, of all this You are the venerable one and the teacher, never there is anyone equally glorious to You; how can others be greater than You in the three worlds, oh Incomparable Power?

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

The father of all the moving and non-moving, the father of all the worlds You are; You are the venerable one and the teacher of this, and so glorious that no one compares to You; how, oh immeasurable power, can there be anyone greater than You in the three worlds? (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 44

Therefore prostating my body, I pay You who I know as the venerable Supreme One my respect to beg Your mercy and tolerate me like a father should with his son, like a friend should with a friend and a lover should with his dearmost, My Lord.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

I therefore, offering my humble respect, prostrate my body before You oh Lord, to beg Your mercy, oh venerable one; to pray, oh God, that You may tolerate me like a father tolerating his son, like a friend good to his friend and like a lover with his sweetheart. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 45

I am glad to have seen what was never seen before, but my mind is also unsettled; be so gracious to show me Your form [again] oh God, Lord of Lords and refuge of the universe.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

I'm glad to have seen what no one saw before, but afraid of what I saw, I am also upset; therefore, please oh God, show me Your personal form, oh Lord of lords and refuge of the living being. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 46

I wish to see You in the position with helmet, club and disc in Your hand, just take the four-handed form [also holding the conch and lotus], oh thousand-handed One, oh Universal Form.'

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

The one with the helmet, holding the club of His power of rule, the discus of His vital order, the conch of His mission and the lotus flower of His opulence, that is the form of You I'd like to see; please, oh thousand-handed universal form, show me the form of You with these four hands!' (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 47

The Supreme Lord said: 'From My grace for you Arjuna, this transcendental form of the oneness of my self was shown; besides you no one saw this unlimited original form of Me, of the full effulgence of the entire universe, before.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

The fortunate said: 'From my grace for you Arjuna, I showed this transcendental form of the oneness of my self; besides You there is no one who saw this unlimited, original form to the full of its radiating glory in the universe before. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 48

Oh best of the Kuru-warriors, in this material world in this form noh other than you could see this nor by Vedic sacrifice or study nor by charity and pious deeds or severe penances.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Oh best of the Kuru warriors, nor by vedic sacrifice, by study, by charity, pious deeds or by severe penances anyone in the material world managed to have this vision. Only you did. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 49

Don't be troubled, don't be bewildered seeing this horrible form, just see My form without fear and thus with a happy mind again as It is'."

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Don't be troubled by it, let your mind not be overtaken by the sight of this terrible form of mine as it is, just see, free from fear and with a happy mind, this personal form of me again.' " (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 50

Sañjaya said: "Vâsudeva speaking that way of His own form showed Himself once more [as four armed] and became the great soul of His own beautiful [two armed] form again reassuring thus the fearful Arjuna.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Sañjaya said: "The god of all opulence and well-being talking like this to Arjuna, showed him again his own four-handed form and assumed thereafter, to reassure the fearful Arjuna, again his beautiful, normal physique as the great one. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 51

Arjuna said: 'Seeing this very beautiful human form of You, oh chastiser of the enemies, I am now composed in mind and myself again.'

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Arjuna said: 'Seeing this beautiful, human form of yours, oh chastiser of the enemy, my mind has calmed down and I am myself again.' (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 52

The Supreme Lord said: 'This form of mine as you have seen it is very difficult to see, even the demigods eternally aspire to see this form.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

The man of the opulence said: 'The vision of this form of mine as you saw it and which even by the gods is constantly aspired, is most difficult to acquire. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 53

Never can I [as said] be seen by studying the Vedas, penances, by charity or worship, the way you saw Me.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Nor by the books of prayer, by penances, by charity, or by worship it is possible to see me the way you did. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 54

Only through devotional service free from ulterior motives it is possible to know and see Me like this Arjuna, and factually get access, oh mighty armed one.

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

Only by devotional service free from ulterior motives it is possible Arjuna, to know and see me like this, to access reality from within, oh man of grip. (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

Text 55

The one who is engaged in working for Me, with Me as the Supreme, in my devotional service free from materialistic association and enmity among the living beings, reaches Me, oh son of Pându.'

FILOGNOSTIC TRANSLATION

He who, with my devotion and with me as the transcendence, does my type of work, and free from enmity with all living beings has forsaken his attachments, is the one, oh son of Pându, who reaches me.' (Sanskrit & tradition)

 

 

 

 

Versions consulted:

- A Song of Fortune One - A modern Gîtâ - the modern version of filognosy (also in mp3-audio).

- A Song of Fortune - A Classical Gîtâ - the classical version of filognosy.

- The Bhagavad Gîta-as-it-is by Swami Bhaktivedânta Prabhupâda (PDF-download).

- The Bhagavad Gîtâ-as-it-is: online (version 1.0).

- The Bhagavad Gita As It Is By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (pdf-download).

- The Bhagavad Gita by the Bhagavad Gita Trust.

- Bhagavad Gita by Sanderson Beck.

- Bhagavad Gita by Ramanad Prasad (American Gita society).

- Srimad Bhagavad-gita - The Hidden Treasure of the Sweet Absolute (from the Vaishnav' S'rî Caitanya Saraswath math).

Sanskrit dictionary: (Monier-Williams' 'Sanskrit-English Dictionary').

 

 

 

 

Production and copyright of this translation: Anand Aadhar Prabhu                   
The filognostic translations are of the same author.                   
2007©Bhagavata.org                  

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