Bhagavad Gita 11.15 — Arjuna Sees All Gods and Beings in the Lord's Body
अर्जुन उवाच ।
पश्यामि देवांस्तव देव देहे सर्वांस्तथा भूतविशेषसङ्घान् ।
ब्रह्माणमीशं कमलासनस्थमृषींश्च सर्वानुरगांश्च दिव्यान् ॥ ११.१५ ॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
Arjuna said: O Lord, I see in Your body all the gods, as well as the hosts of various kinds of beings; Brahma seated on the lotus, Shiva, all the sages, and the divine serpents.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| paśhyāmi | I see |
| devān | the gods |
| tava | Your |
| deva | O Lord |
| dehe | in the body |
| sarvān | all |
| tathā | as well as |
| bhūta-viśheṣha-saṅghān | hosts of various kinds of beings |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| brahmāṇam | Brahma |
| īśham | Shiva; the Lord |
| kamala-āsana-stham | seated on the lotus |
| ṛiṣhīn | sages |
| cha | and |
| sarvān | all |
| uragān | serpents |
| cha | and |
| divyān | divine |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| paśhyāmi | I see | brahmāṇam | Brahma |
| devān | the gods | īśham | Shiva; the Lord |
| tava | Your | kamala-āsana-stham | seated on the lotus |
| deva | O Lord | ṛiṣhīn | sages |
| dehe | in the body | cha | and |
| sarvān | all | sarvān | all |
| tathā | as well as | uragān | serpents |
| bhūta-viśheṣha-saṅghān | hosts of various kinds of beings | cha | and |
| divyān | divine | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Arjuna begins to describe what he sees through the divine eye. In this verse he beholds all the gods, countless kinds of beings, Brahmā on his lotus seat, the sages and the divine serpents, all within the body of the Lord.
Essence
The Whole Cosmos Gathered in One Body
After Sañjaya's narration, Arjuna himself now speaks. His first words are those of an astonished witness listing what appears before him. The vision is not abstract; it is populated with every order of being.
Paśyāmi devāṁs tava deva dehe (I see the gods in your body, O Lord): The gods whom people worship separately appear here as parts of one Being. What seem to be many powers are expressions of the one Supreme.
Sarvāṁs tathā bhūta-viśeṣa-saṅghān (and all the varied hosts of living beings): Not only the gods but every kind of creature, great and small, is seen within the Lord. Nothing is excluded from his body.
Brahmāṇam īśaṁ kamalāsana-stham (Brahmā, the creator, seated on the lotus): Even Brahmā, the creator of the world, is seen sitting within the Lord. The creator himself has his origin and support in the Supreme.
Ṛṣīṁś ca sarvān uragāṁś ca divyān (all the sages and divine serpents): The wise and the powerful alike appear together. This signals that the Lord holds the sacred and the formidable in the same embrace.
Message for Everyday Life (Recognising the Source Behind Many Forms)
Look beyond surface divisions: We often divide the world into groups, roles and ranks. The Gita invites us to remember that all are held in one reality.
Practical approach: Whenever you feel superior or inferior to someone, remind yourself that both of you rest in the same underlying existence. This softens pride and envy.
The Whole Cosmos Gathered in One Body
After Sañjaya's narration, Arjuna himself now speaks. His first words are those of an astonished witness listing what appears before him. The vision is not abstract; it is populated with every order of being.
Paśyāmi devāṁs tava deva dehe (I see the gods in your body, O Lord): The gods whom people worship separately appear here as parts of one Being. What seem to be many powers are expressions of the one Supreme.
Sarvāṁs tathā bhūta-viśeṣa-saṅghān (and all the varied hosts of living beings): Not only the gods but every kind of creature, great and small, is seen within the Lord. Nothing is excluded from his body.
Brahmāṇam īśaṁ kamalāsana-stham (Brahmā, the creator, seated on the lotus): Even Brahmā, the creator of the world, is seen sitting within the Lord. The creator himself has his origin and support in the Supreme.
Ṛṣīṁś ca sarvān uragāṁś ca divyān (all the sages and divine serpents): The wise and the powerful alike appear together. This signals that the Lord holds the sacred and the formidable in the same embrace.
Message for Everyday Life (Recognising the Source Behind Many Forms)
Look beyond surface divisions: We often divide the world into groups, roles and ranks. The Gita invites us to remember that all are held in one reality.
Practical approach: Whenever you feel superior or inferior to someone, remind yourself that both of you rest in the same underlying existence. This softens pride and envy.
Next Topic
Arjuna has seen gods, beings and sages within the Lord. But the vision keeps expanding. In the next verse he sees countless arms, faces and eyes on every side, and a form without beginning, middle or end.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
No being is outside the whole.
Every level of life belongs to one family.
Even creators have a source.
Wide sight welcomes all.
See the sacred in every kind of life.
Variety adorns the one truth.
The universe is a gathering of all that is.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'bhūta-viśheṣha-saṅghān' (hosts of various kinds of beings) refer to?
Who is 'Brahmā' (the creator god) seated on the 'kamalāsana' (lotus seat)?
Who is meant by 'īśham' (the Lord, Shiva)?
Who are the 'ṛiṣhīn' (sages) and 'uragān' (serpents) mentioned?
Why does Arjuna address Krishna as 'deva' (Lord)?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: