Quick Overview of Chapter 11 of Bhagavad Gita

Executive Summary of Chapter 11 of Gita

Contents

1.      Introduction & Background. 1

2.      Chapter 11 – Executive Summary. 2

3.      Verses 54 and 55 are two most important verses in this chapter 11. 4

4.       Phala Sruti for this Chapter 11 - Vishwaroopa Darshana Yoga. 5

1.   Introduction & Background

Sri Adi Sankara calls Gita Sastram as Sarva Vedanta Saara Sangraha Bhutam. This Gita Sastram is the comprehensive essence of all Vedanta (Upanisads).

Before we go to Chapter 11, let us trace our route, leading to Chapter 11 - Vishwaroopa Darshana Yoga

From Chapter 1 to 6 Bhagavan gradually wakes up Arjuna from depression by combination of Jnana Yoga & Karma Yoga Upadesam. He also teaches the secret of action (detached, focused, execution of one’s duties to purify one’s mind) and the method of meditation. In Chapter 4 – Bhagavan explains His divinity as Avataara Purusha & the secret of Action & Inaction.  In Chapter 5 - Bhagavan says - A Sadhaka dedicates all his actions to the Lord and thus abandons attachment. He surrenders himself completely to the Divine Shakti.  By end of Chapter 6 - Arjuna's mind has become calm, collected by Sri Krishna’s grace (Guru’s grace).  In Chapter 7 & 8 - Swami explains how Prakriti or Nature is made up of the three Gunas or qualities—Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.  Ordinary Jiva, mistaking oneself to be Trigunatmika (i.e. made of three Gunas), gets confused, forget its true nature as Eternal Pure Free Consciousness (Nitya Suddha Mukta Chaithanya Swaroopam).  This confusion is Avidya & it can be overcome by ISHWARA Krupa. Whatever form the devotee worships, the ultimate goal is Ishwara Himself. The secret to experiencing God's grace is to remain united with the Divine through deep devotion, constant remembrance & regular meditation.

In Chapter 9 - The Brahma Vidya called as Raja-vidya is given to Arjuna. This Vidya consists of RECOGNIZING Bhagavanthudu (Ishwara) everywhere, as everything and in every moment. Sri Krishna gives this Jnana Amrutham (Brahma Vidya Upadesam) to Arjuna, who is now, more alert and more ready to accept the Atma Jnana Upadesam (than he was in Chapter 2).

Swami says "Raajavidyaa raajaguhyam pavitramidam uttamam". This Rajavidya is Brahma Vidya of Upanisads. It should be received with Shraddha. Here Swami teaches Arjuna that everything in this world is not-different than Brahmam. To see everything as different & independent of Ishwara - is the cause of sorrow – Ignorance or Avidya. To see everything as Ishwara Vaibhavam is Vijnanam. Brahma Vidya or Rajavidya is given to Arjuna, with the promise that a person, who has Shraddha in this Brahma Vidya is protected by Bhagavan Himself (yogakshemam vahaamyaham). Bhagavan also says He accepts anything we give with devotion, be it a leaf, flower, fruit etc.

Sri Krishna describes that as Ishwara - He is the source, middle and end of all things. Clearly he states that he is the Pitaahamasya jagato maataa dhaataa pitaamahah. He is also the goal, the support, the witness, the origin, the end & the foundation of all creation.  Thus by end of Chapter 9 - Swami has verbally described the essence of All Sastram and Anubhuti - that God Alone is Real and Kevala Aashraya Yogyam (only worthy refuge).

In chapter 10 - Swami outlines the best in all creation and thus re-emphasizes that everything is indeed Him, only. Bhagavanthudiki Anyam ka Yemi ledhu.... Vasudevam Sarvam Iti.

So by Chapter 11 - Arjuna’s doubts having been removed through a clear description of the nature of the Atma and knowing Ishwara is the origin and destruction of all created things. So to remove whatever little doubt that may have remained in Arjuna’s mind – Sri Krishna grants him the Visvarupa Darshanam. Thus after attaining the darsanam, Arjuna will have complete faith in Brahma Vidya and shall also perform his duty, as Kshatriya.

2.   Chapter 11 – Executive Summary

What Arjuna has been listening to with faith - is now being illustrated through Visvaroopa Sandharshanam, which Arjuna gets, after obtaining Divya Dristi, from Sri Krishna.

In every direction Arjuna sees the Bhagavan, as the entire universe. All the created worlds, gods, beings, creatures and things stand revealed as the one gigantic body of the Lord. Arjuna witnesses the Parameshwara Rupam.

Anekavaktra nayanam anekaadbhuta darshanam;

Anekadivyaabharanam divyaanekodyataayudham.

10. With numerous mouths and eyes, with numerous wonderful sights, with numerous divine ornaments, with numerous divine weapons uplifted (such a form He showed).

Verses 11 - 13 He witnesses many wonderful things all happening simultaneously.

Verse 14 onwards Arjuna describes what he sees in his own words

Pashyaami devaamstava deva dehe

Sarvaamstathaa bhootavisheshasanghaan;

Brahmaanameesham kamalaasanastha-

Mrisheemshcha sarvaanuragaamshcha divyaan.

15. I see all the gods, in Thy body, and various classes of beings; Brahma, the Lord, seated on the lotus, all the sages and the Divine serpents!

Anekabaahoodaravaktranetram

Pashyaami twaam sarvato’nantaroopam;

Naantam na madhyam na punastavaadim

Pashyaami vishweshwara vishwaroopa.

16. I see You of limitless form on every side, with many arms, stomachs, mouths and eyes; neither the end nor the middle nor also the beginning do I see, O Lord of the universe, O Cosmic Form!

In verse 26-27-28 he says he witnesses the destruction of the Kauravas. He now, knows that the Lord has already destroyed them, so why must he worry about the inevitable? Arjuna can now fight the battle and exhaust his Prarabdha Karma and attain Chitta Suddhi.  

Sri Krishna is now speaking as Sri Parameshwara Himself and says in verse 32

Sri Bhagavaan Uvaacha:

Kaalo’smi lokakshayakrit pravriddho

Lokaan samaahartumiha pravrittah;

Rite’pi twaam na bhavishyanti sarve

Ye’wasthitaah pratyaneekeshu yodhaah.

The Blessed Lord said:

32. I am the mighty world-destroying Kaala, now engaged in destroying the worlds. Even without you, none of the warriors arrayed in the opposed army shall live.

He then says in verse 33: -

Tasmaat twam uttishtha yasho labhaswa

Jitwaa shatroon bhungkshwa raajyam samriddham;

Mayaivaite nihataah poorvameva

Nimittamaatram bhava savyasaachin.

33. Therefore, stand up and obtain fame. Conquer the enemies and enjoy the kingdom. They (enemies) have already been slain by Me; be a mere instrument, O Arjuna!

The key phrase for memorizing is “Nimittamaatram bhava savyasaachin”.

IMPORTANT OBSERVATION by Sri Anandagiri

Sri Anandagiri in his Tika on Sri Sankara Bhasyam says as follows: -

1.      The Universal Form (Visva-rūpa) revealed to Arjuna was that of Iśvara, the Lord of Destruction (SamhAra Murti).

2.      The form revealed to Yasodha was that of Visnu (Sthiti Kaara Murti);

3.      The form revealed to Brahma (in Bhagavatham) was a combination of (Sristi and Sthiti);

4.      The form that was shown to Duryodhana was a combination of the Visnu and Rudra aspects (Sthiti and SamhAra).

In Verse 34 Sri Krishna assures that Drona, Bheeshma, Jayadratha and Karna are killed by Sri Krishna. In Mahabharata we find these four special enemies were executed only by Sri Krishna Sankalpam. Thus Arjuna has nothing to worry.

Thinking point: If Sanjaya said all these things to Dhritarastra, why did Dhritarastra not stop the war there itself? It can only be because destiny was too powerful (says Sri Shankara Bhagavathpaada).

Arjuna's stuthi of Bhagavan in His Visvarupam, continues from verse 36 onwards. Arjuna’s Stuti is exact description of Swami’s Divya Roopam. He is praising as much as he is faithfully reporting what he sees.

Twamaadidevah purushah puraanas 

Twamasya vishwasya param nidhaanam; 

Vettaasi vedyam cha param cha dhaama 

Twayaa tatam vishwamanantaroopa.

38. (Swami) You are the Adi Devah, the Puraana Purusha, the Parama Aashrayam of this Vishvam (universe), the knower (Atma), the knowable (Prapancham) and the Supreme abode (Param Dhaamam). You have pervaded this universe (Vishnu). You are the infinite forms around the Universe (Vishvam Ananta Roopa).

The Verse 41 and 42 are very touching. Here Arjuna reaches a point in the whole discussion, where he admits openly for the first time that Sri Krishna is not just a friend, philosopher & guide but ISHWARA Himself! (Lord of the Universe)

He apologizes for any insult he may have done for the sake of fun, play, etc... Looking upon Sri Krishna as friend, since Arjuna’s childhood.

“Tatkshaamaye twaamaham aprameyam” - I beg you, O immeasurable one, to forgive!

In Verse 46 -. Arjuna having seen the Samhaara Murti Swarupam of Parameshwara is now trembling in emotion. So in verse 46, he desires to see Sri Krishna not as the SAmhaara Murti but as Chatur-Bhuja MAha Vishnu. So Sri Krishna assumed Sri Maha Vishnu Rupam with Gadham, Chakram, Sankam, Padmam. Soon after that, he assumed his normal form as Arjuna’s dear friend - Sri Krishna (i.e. with two hands).

3.   Verses 54 and 55 are two most important verses in this chapter 11.

Bhaktyaa twananyayaa shakyam aham evamvidho’rjuna;

Jnaatum drashtum cha tattwena praveshtum cha parantapa.

54. But by single-minded devotion can I be known in this form and seen in reality and also entered into, O Arjuna!

Sri Shankara identifies the characteristics of "Bhakti" as follows : - (a) Undistracted devotion (b) This devotion (Bhakti) has only One goal – Bhagavan (c) There is constant remembrance that everything we see or experience is Vasudeva or Atma Chaitanyam.

This last verse of Chapter 11 - Verse 55 is considered by Sri Sankaracharya as the essence of the whole teaching of Gita & also upheld to be followed by all.

Matkarmakrinmatparamo madbhaktah sangavarjitah;

Nirvairah sarvabhooteshu yah sa maameti paandava.

55. He who does all actions for Me, who looks upon Me as the Supreme, who is devoted to Me, who is free from attachment, who bears enmity towards no creature, he comes to Me, O Arjuna!

Phala Sruti for this Chapter 11 - Vishwaroopa Darshana Yoga

The Phalitham of meditation on the Visvaroopa Sandarshana Yogam,  by a Bhakta, is Krama-Mukti (gradual liberation). On leaving the body, the Bhakta (who has meditated on this Viswarupa Sandarshana Yogam) will get final Mukti after reaching - Ishwara Lokam. There Ishwara will give Atma Jnana Upadesa (Brahman = Atman) and free us from all Avidya.