Bhagavad Gita 11.20 — Heaven, Earth and All Directions Pervaded by the Lord Alone
द्यावापृथिव्योरिदमन्तरं हि व्याप्तं त्वयैकेन दिशश्च सर्वाः ।
दृष्ट्वाद्भुतं रूपमुग्रं तवेदं लोकत्रयं प्रव्यथितं महात्मन् ॥ ११.२० ॥
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This space between heaven and earth, and all the directions, are pervaded by You alone. O Great Soul, seeing this wondrous and terrible form of Yours, the three worlds tremble.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| dyau | heaven |
| ā-pṛithivyoḥ | up to the earth; between heaven and earth |
| idam | this |
| antaram | space; interval |
| hi | indeed |
| vyāptam | pervaded |
| tvayā | by You |
| ekena | alone |
| diśhaḥ | directions |
| cha | and |
| sarvāḥ | all |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| dṛiṣhṭvā | having seen |
| adbhutam | wondrous |
| rūpam | form |
| ugram | terrible; fearsome |
| tava | Your |
| idam | this |
| loka-trayam | the three worlds |
| pravyathitam | trembling; deeply shaken |
| mahā-ātman | O Great Soul |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| dyau | heaven | dṛiṣhṭvā | having seen |
| ā-pṛithivyoḥ | up to the earth; between heaven and earth | adbhutam | wondrous |
| idam | this | rūpam | form |
| antaram | space; interval | ugram | terrible; fearsome |
| hi | indeed | tava | Your |
| vyāptam | pervaded | idam | this |
| tvayā | by You | loka-trayam | the three worlds |
| ekena | alone | pravyathitam | trembling; deeply shaken |
| diśhaḥ | directions | mahā-ātman | O Great Soul |
| cha | and | ||
| sarvāḥ | all | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Arjuna sees that the space between heaven and earth and all the directions are filled by the Lord alone. Seeing this wondrous and terrible form, the three worlds are shaken with fear.
Essence
Space Itself Filled by the Lord
The vision now moves from description to effect. Arjuna realises that no space exists apart from the Lord, and he notices the impact of this sight on all beings.
Dyāv-āpṛthivyor idam antaraṁ hi vyāptaṁ tvayaikena (the space between heaven and earth is pervaded by you alone): What seems like empty space is filled with the Lord's presence. Nothing is truly separate from him.
Diśaś ca sarvāḥ (and all the directions): There is no corner, no direction where the Lord is absent. This is the meaning of omnipresence.
Dṛṣṭvādbhutaṁ rūpam ugraṁ tavedam (seeing this wondrous and terrible form of yours): The words adbhuta, wondrous, and ugra, terrible, appear together. The Lord's greatness is both marvellous and awe-inspiring, and the two cannot be separated.
Lokatrayaṁ pravyathitaṁ mahātman (the three worlds tremble, O great Soul): The three worlds, the earthly, heavenly and lower realms, shiver in the presence of the infinite. A shift begins here: wonder starts to mingle with fear.
Message for Everyday Life (Facing the Awe-Inspiring Side of Life)
Accept that life has both beauty and intensity: The same world that gives joy also contains challenge and loss. Mature people learn to hold both.
Practical approach: When facing something overwhelming, breathe, stay present, and remember that you are part of a larger whole. Fear softens when we stop resisting the vastness of life.
Space Itself Filled by the Lord
The vision now moves from description to effect. Arjuna realises that no space exists apart from the Lord, and he notices the impact of this sight on all beings.
Dyāv-āpṛthivyor idam antaraṁ hi vyāptaṁ tvayaikena (the space between heaven and earth is pervaded by you alone): What seems like empty space is filled with the Lord's presence. Nothing is truly separate from him.
Diśaś ca sarvāḥ (and all the directions): There is no corner, no direction where the Lord is absent. This is the meaning of omnipresence.
Dṛṣṭvādbhutaṁ rūpam ugraṁ tavedam (seeing this wondrous and terrible form of yours): The words adbhuta, wondrous, and ugra, terrible, appear together. The Lord's greatness is both marvellous and awe-inspiring, and the two cannot be separated.
Lokatrayaṁ pravyathitaṁ mahātman (the three worlds tremble, O great Soul): The three worlds, the earthly, heavenly and lower realms, shiver in the presence of the infinite. A shift begins here: wonder starts to mingle with fear.
Message for Everyday Life (Facing the Awe-Inspiring Side of Life)
Accept that life has both beauty and intensity: The same world that gives joy also contains challenge and loss. Mature people learn to hold both.
Practical approach: When facing something overwhelming, breathe, stay present, and remember that you are part of a larger whole. Fear softens when we stop resisting the vastness of life.
Next Topic
Arjuna has noted that even the three worlds tremble before this form. In the next verse, he describes how the gods themselves respond, some entering the Lord, others praising him with folded hands in fear.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
There is no empty corner in the universe.
The sublime is beautiful and terrifying at once.
Before the infinite, every world trembles.
One source, all space.
Awe often arrives wearing the mask of fear.
The vast teaches the humble to listen.
Reality is bigger than comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'dyāv ā-pṛithivyoḥ antaram' (the space between heaven and earth) mean?
What does 'vyāptam tvayā ekena' (pervaded by You alone) imply?
What is meant by 'loka-trayam' (the three worlds)?
Why is the form called 'ugram' (terrible)?
Why does Arjuna address the Lord as 'mahātman' (Great Soul)?
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