Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
The Yoga of the Vision of the Cosmic Form
At Arjuna's request, Krishna reveals His magnificent and terrifying Universal Form (Vishvarupa). Arjuna sees the entire universe—all gods, beings, and the cosmic expanse of time—contained within Krishna's divine form. Overwhelmed, Arjuna offers prayers and asks Krishna to return to His gentle, four-armed form.
भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन | ज्ञातुं द्रष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परन्तप ||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.
Transliteration
bhaktyā tv-ananyayā śhakya aham evaṁ-vidho ’rjuna | jñātuṁ draṣhṭuṁ cha tattvena praveṣhṭuṁ cha parantapa ||54||
Commentary
After revealing His universal form, Krishna emphasizes that this form, and indeed His true nature, cannot be understood through Vedic study, penances, or charity. It is only through 'ananya-bhakti' (exclusive, single-minded devotion) that one can truly know, see, and enter into the reality of the Supreme Lord.