# 11/R.U.P.A

### <mark style="color:orange;">The Sanskrit word</mark> <mark style="color:orange;"></mark>*<mark style="color:orange;">rupa</mark>* <mark style="color:orange;"></mark><mark style="color:orange;">means "form." One of the most intricate theological debates is the question over whether God is personal or impersonal. Some argue that accepting a personal form of God amounts to anthropomorphic projection of our human qualities onto Him. Others say that the impersonal doesn’t allow for fullest exchange of love between the soul and God.</mark> <mark style="color:orange;">Krishna confirms in numerous passages of the Bhagavad-gita that He manifests in many ways, impersonally and personally. He categorically establishes that the personal is the original form and the basis of the impersonal. This is further confirmed Chapter Eleven, after Krishna displays another of his innumerable forms known as the</mark> <mark style="color:orange;"></mark>*<mark style="color:orange;">visva-rupa</mark>*<mark style="color:orange;">, the universal form.</mark>

## <mark style="color:orange;">R</mark>

[**Request (1-4)**](#user-content-fn-1)[^1]

Now appreciating Krishna’s Divinity, Arjuna requests Him to reveal how He has entered the universe. *What is his purpose in requesting such a vision, especially since he already accepts Krishna as the Supreme Truth?* Firstly, he wants to emphatically prove without any doubt that Krishna is indeed the source of the creation. Furthermore, he wants to establish a criteria for those in the future who may claim to be God, to also manifest such a mystical feat. Unfortunately, our modern world is plagued with so-called incarnations and God-men claiming Divine status by dint of magical trickery, subtle powers, charismatic conduct, or simply popular vote.

## <mark style="color:orange;">U</mark>

[**Universal Form (5-14)**](#user-content-fn-2)[^2]

Krishna equips Arjuna with heavenly vision and displays His inconceivable feature known as the Universal Form. Within it, Arjuna witnesses the entirety of creation, all the planets, demigods and living entities, and the entire sequence of past, present and future. When Krishna exhibits the Universal Form, His Divinity and Supremacy become crystal clear. While God is the source of this universe, He is simultaneously the universe itself, in the sense that He is present within His own creation. For example, in an author’s writings we can perceive their presence – the effect (writings) tells us something about the cause (the author). Similarly, God is the source of the universe, but is simultaneously encompassing the universe – that is the Universal Form. It’s not that God is the sum of the parts, but rather that everything is contained within God.

## <mark style="color:orange;">P</mark>

[**Prayers of Arjuna (15-45)**](#user-content-fn-3)[^3]

As Arjuna peers into this extraordinary display he sees all of his adversaries meeting their death, even though the battle has not even begun. Krishna poignantly tells Arjuna that all of his enemies and obstacles have already been annihilated by the will of providence and his only task is to become an instrument in the plan. Shocked and frightened, Arjuna offers prayers to the Universal Form, awed by the greatness of Krishna. He begs forgiveness for having previously treated Him with familiarity and friendship. Most religious traditions endorse this majestic understanding of God – God who is the infallible creator, controller and all-knowing authority. It often leads to a fearful exchange with God, lacking intimacy, sweetness and personal relationship. The God-fearing approach, however, is not the all-in-all. Having seen enough, Arjuna anxiously requests Krishna to once again reveal His two-armed form so that he can again relish the intimacy of that interaction.

## <mark style="color:orange;">A</mark>

[**Armed Form (46-55)**](#user-content-fn-4)[^4]

&#x20;Arjuna requests to see the manusim-rupa, the human-like form of Krishna, around whose neck is swinging a garland of flowers beautified with the moon-locket, whose two hands are adorned with the flute and jewelled ornaments, and whose graceful threefold-bending form attracts the minds of His devotees. Ancient Sanskrit texts describe Krishna as *“raso vai sah”* – the very embodiment of affectionate relationships, loving relish, and transcendental sweetness. God is a person who is full of colour, character and bliss. He knows how to have a good time and is much more interested in relishing the sweetness of pure love than the formal worship of those who approach Him in awe and reverence.

> ### *<mark style="color:orange;">“WHEN I READ THE BHAGAVAD-GITA AND REFLECT ABOUT HOW GOD CREATED THIS UNIVERSE EVERYTHING ELSE SEEMS SO SUPERFLUOUS”</mark>* *<mark style="color:orange;">\~ ALBERT EINSTEIN</mark>*

[^1]: **Bg. 11.1 - 11.4**

    **Source:** [**Vedabase**](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/)

    [TEXT 1:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/1/) Arjuna said: By my hearing the instructions You have kindly given me about these most confidential spiritual subjects, my illusion has now been dispelled.

    [TEXT 2:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/2/) O lotus-eyed one, I have heard from You in detail about the appearance and disappearance of every living entity and have realized Your inexhaustible glories.

    [TEXT 3:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/3/) O greatest of all personalities, O supreme form, though I see You here before me in Your actual position, as You have described Yourself, I wish to see how You have entered into this cosmic manifestation. I want to see that form of Yours.

    [TEXT 4:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/4/) If You think that I am able to behold Your cosmic form, O my Lord, O master of all mystic power, then kindly show me that unlimited universal Self.

[^2]: **Bg. 11.5 - 11.14**

    **Source:** [**Vedabase**](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/)

    [TEXT 5:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/5/) The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, O son of Pṛthā, see now My opulences, hundreds of thousands of varied divine and multicolored forms.

    [TEXT 6:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/6/) O best of the Bhāratas, see here the different manifestations of Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Aśvinī-kumāras and all the other demigods. Behold the many wonderful things which no one has ever seen or heard of before.

    [TEXT 7:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/7/) 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. Everything – moving and nonmoving – is here completely, in one place.

    [TEXT 8:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/8/) But you cannot see Me with your present eyes. Therefore I give you divine eyes. Behold My mystic opulence!

    [TEXT 9:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/9/) Sañjaya said: O King, having spoken thus, the Supreme Lord of all mystic power, the Personality of Godhead, displayed His universal form to Arjuna.

    [TEXTS 10-11:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/10-11/) Arjuna saw in that universal form unlimited mouths, unlimited eyes, unlimited wonderful visions. The form was decorated with many celestial ornaments and bore many divine upraised weapons. He wore celestial garlands and garments, and many divine scents were smeared over His body. All was wondrous, brilliant, unlimited, all-expanding.

    [TEXT 12:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/12/) If hundreds of thousands of suns were to rise at once into the sky, their radiance might resemble the effulgence of the Supreme Person in that universal form.

    [TEXT 13:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/13/) 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.

    [TEXT 14:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/14/) Then, bewildered and astonished, his hair standing on end, Arjuna bowed his head to offer obeisances and with folded hands began to pray to the Supreme Lord.

[^3]: **Bg. 11.15 - 11.45**

    **Source:** [**Vedabase**](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/)

    [TEXT 15:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/15/) Arjuna said: My dear Lord Kṛṣṇa, I see assembled in Your body all the demigods and various other living entities. I see Brahmā sitting on the lotus flower, as well as Lord Śiva and all the sages and divine serpents.

    [TEXT 16:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/16/) O Lord of the universe, O universal form, I 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.

    [TEXT 17:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/17/) Your form is difficult to see because of its glaring effulgence, spreading on all sides, like blazing fire or the immeasurable radiance of the sun. Yet I see this glowing form everywhere, adorned with various crowns, clubs and discs.

    [TEXT 18:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/18/) You are the supreme primal objective. You are the ultimate resting place of all this universe. You are inexhaustible, and You are the oldest. You are the maintainer of the eternal religion, the Personality of Godhead. This is my opinion.

    [TEXT 19:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/19/) You are without origin, middle or end. Your glory is unlimited. You have numberless arms, and the sun and moon are Your eyes. I see You with blazing fire coming forth from Your mouth, burning this entire universe by Your own radiance.

    [TEXT 20:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/20/) Although You are one, You spread throughout the sky and the planets and all space between. O great one, seeing this wondrous and terrible form, all the planetary systems are perturbed.

    [TEXT 21:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/21/) All the hosts of demigods are surrendering before You and entering into You. Some of them, very much afraid, are offering prayers with folded hands. Hosts of great sages and perfected beings, crying “All peace!” are praying to You by singing the Vedic hymns.

    [TEXT 22:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/22/) All the various manifestations of Lord Śiva, the Ādityas, the Vasus, the Sādhyas, the Viśvedevas, the two Aśvīs, the Maruts, the forefathers, the Gandharvas, the Yakṣas, the Asuras and the perfected demigods are beholding You in wonder.

    [TEXT 23:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/23/) O mighty-armed one, all the planets with their demigods are disturbed at seeing Your great form, with its many faces, eyes, arms, thighs, legs and bellies and Your many terrible teeth; and as they are disturbed, so am I.

    [TEXT 24:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/24/) O all-pervading Viṣṇu, seeing You with Your many radiant colors touching the sky, Your gaping mouths, and Your great glowing eyes, my mind is perturbed by fear. I can no longer maintain my steadiness or equilibrium of mind.

    [TEXT 25:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/25/) O Lord of lords, O refuge of the worlds, please be gracious to me. I cannot keep my balance seeing thus Your blazing deathlike faces and awful teeth. In all directions I am bewildered.

    [TEXTS 26-27:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/26-27/) All the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, along with their allied kings, and Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Karṇa – and our chief soldiers also – are rushing into Your fearful mouths. And some I see trapped with heads smashed between Your teeth.

    [TEXT 28:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/28/) As the many waves of the rivers flow into the ocean, so do all these great warriors enter blazing into Your mouths.

    [TEXT 29:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/29/) I see all people rushing full speed into Your mouths, as moths dash to destruction in a blazing fire.

    [TEXT 30:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/30/) O Viṣṇu, I see You devouring all people from all sides with Your flaming mouths. Covering all the universe with Your effulgence, You are manifest with terrible, scorching rays.

    [TEXT 31:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/31/) O Lord of lords, so fierce of form, please tell me who You are. I offer my obeisances unto You; please be gracious to me. You are the primal Lord. I want to know about You, for I do not know what Your mission is.

    [TEXT 32:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/32/) The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Time I am, the great destroyer of the worlds, and I have come here to destroy all people. With the exception of you \[the Pāṇḍavas], all the soldiers here on both sides will be slain.

    [TEXT 33:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/33/) Therefore get up. Prepare to fight and win glory. Conquer your enemies and enjoy a flourishing kingdom. They are already put to death by My arrangement, and you, O Savyasācī, can be but an instrument in the fight.

    [TEXT 34:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/34/) Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Jayadratha, Karṇa and the other great warriors have already been destroyed by Me. Therefore, kill them and do not be disturbed. Simply fight, and you will vanquish your enemies in battle.

    [TEXT 35:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/35/) Sañjaya said to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: O King, after hearing these words from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the trembling Arjuna offered obeisances with folded hands again and again. He fearfully spoke to Lord Kṛṣṇa in a faltering voice, as follows.

    [TEXT 36:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/36/) Arjuna said: O master of the senses, the world becomes joyful upon hearing Your name, and thus everyone becomes attached to You. Although the perfected beings offer You their respectful homage, the demons are afraid, and they flee here and there. All this is rightly done.

    [TEXT 37:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/37/) O great one, greater even than Brahmā, You are the original creator. Why then should they not offer their respectful obeisances unto You? O limitless one, God of gods, refuge of the universe! You are the invincible source, the cause of all causes, transcendental to this material manifestation.

    [TEXT 38:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/38/) You are the original Personality of Godhead, the oldest, the ultimate sanctuary of this manifested cosmic world. You are the knower of everything, and You are all that is knowable. You are the supreme refuge, above the material modes. O limitless form! This whole cosmic manifestation is pervaded by You!

    [TEXT 39:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/39/) You are air, and You are the supreme controller! You are fire, You are water, and You are the moon! You are Brahmā, the first living creature, and You are the great-grandfather. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You a thousand times, and again and yet again!

    [TEXT 40:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/40/) Obeisances to You from the front, from behind and from all sides! O unbounded power, You are the master of limitless might! You are all-pervading, and thus You are everything!

    [TEXTS 41-42:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/41-42/) Thinking of You as my friend, I have rashly addressed You “O Kṛṣṇa,” “O Yādava,” “O my friend,” not knowing Your glories. Please forgive whatever I may have done in madness or in love. I have dishonored You many times, jesting as we relaxed, lay on the same bed, or sat or ate together, sometimes alone and sometimes in front of many friends. O infallible one, please excuse me for all those offenses.

    [TEXT 43:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/43/) You are the father of this complete cosmic manifestation, of the moving and the nonmoving. You are its worshipable chief, the supreme spiritual master. No one is greater than You, nor can anyone be one with You. How then could there be anyone greater than You within the three worlds, O Lord of immeasurable power?

    [TEXT 44:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/44/) You are the Supreme Lord, to be worshiped by every living being. Thus I fall down to offer You my respectful obeisances and ask Your mercy. As a father tolerates the impudence of his son, a friend the impertinence of a friend, or a husband the familiarity of his wife, please tolerate the wrongs I may have done You.

    [TEXT 45:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/45/) After seeing this universal form, which I have never seen before, I am gladdened, but at the same time my mind is disturbed with fear. Therefore please bestow Your grace upon me and reveal again Your form as the Personality of Godhead, O Lord of lords, O abode of the universe.

[^4]: **Bg. 11.46 - 11.55**

    **Source:** [**Vedabase**](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/)

    [TEXT 46:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/46/) O universal form, O thousand-armed Lord, I wish to see You in Your four-armed form, with helmeted head and with club, wheel, conch and lotus flower in Your hands. I long to see You in that form.

    [TEXT 47:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/47/) 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.

    [TEXT 48:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/48/) O best of the Kuru warriors, no one before you has ever seen this universal form of Mine, for neither by studying the Vedas, nor by performing sacrifices, nor by charity, nor by pious activities, nor by severe penances can I be seen in this form in the material world.

    [TEXT 49:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/49/) You have been perturbed and bewildered by seeing this horrible feature of Mine. Now let it be finished. My devotee, be free again from all disturbances. With a peaceful mind you can now see the form you desire.

    [TEXT 50:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/50/) Sañjaya said to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, having spoken thus to Arjuna, displayed His real four-armed form and at last showed His two-armed form, thus encouraging the fearful Arjuna.

    [TEXT 51:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/51/) When Arjuna thus saw Kṛṣṇa in His original form, he said: O Janārdana, seeing this humanlike form, so very beautiful, I am now composed in mind, and I am restored to my original nature.

    [TEXT 52:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/52/) The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, this form of Mine you are now seeing is very difficult to behold. Even the demigods are ever seeking the opportunity to see this form, which is so dear.

    [TEXT 53:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/53/) The form you are seeing with your transcendental eyes cannot be understood simply by studying the Vedas, nor by undergoing serious penances, nor by charity, nor by worship. It is not by these means that one can see Me as I am.

    [TEXT 54:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/54/) My dear Arjuna, only by undivided devotional service can I be understood as I am, standing before you, and can thus be seen directly. Only in this way can you enter into the mysteries of My understanding.

    [TEXT 55:](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/11/55/) My dear Arjuna, he who engages in My pure devotional service, free from the contaminations of fruitive activities and mental speculation, he who works for Me, who makes Me the supreme goal of his life, and who is friendly to every living being – he certainly comes to Me.