Bhagavad Gita 11.3 — Arjuna's Longing to See the Divine Form
एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर ।
द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम ॥ ११.३ ॥
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O Supreme Lord, You are exactly as You have described Yourself. Yet, O Supreme Person, I wish to see Your divine, majestic form.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| evam | thus; so |
| etat | this |
| yathā | as |
| āttha | You have said; You have declared |
| tvam | You |
| ātmānam | Yourself |
| parama-īśhvara | O Supreme Lord |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| draṣhṭum | to see |
| ichchhāmi | I wish |
| te | Your |
| rūpam | form |
| aiśhvaryam | divine; sovereign; majestic |
| puruṣha-uttama | O Supreme Person |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| evam | thus; so | draṣhṭum | to see |
| etat | this | ichchhāmi | I wish |
| yathā | as | te | Your |
| āttha | You have said; You have declared | rūpam | form |
| tvam | You | aiśhvaryam | divine; sovereign; majestic |
| ātmānam | Yourself | puruṣha-uttama | O Supreme Person |
| parama-īśhvara | O Supreme Lord | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse Arjuna accepts that Lord Krishna's description of himself is true, and then voices a heartfelt wish: to see the Lord's sovereign, divine form with his own eyes. Faith here becomes the seed of longing for direct experience.
Essence
From Belief to the Longing for Vision
Arjuna begins by affirming his trust: 'You are exactly as you have described yourself.' He does not doubt. His request is not born of skepticism but of love. Having heard so much, the heart naturally wishes to see.
Evam etad yathāttha tvam (it is just as you say): Arjuna's faith is complete. In spiritual life, śraddhā, trust born of understanding, is the foundation. But faith itself seeks fulfilment in experience, just as someone who has heard endlessly about a great mountain longs to stand before it.
Aiśvaraṁ rūpam (the sovereign, divine form): The word aiśvara refers to īśvara, the Lord who is master of all. Arjuna has so far seen Krishna as a friend, a charioteer and a cousin. Now he wishes to see the cosmic majesty behind the familiar face.
Puruṣottama (the Supreme Person): Arjuna addresses Lord Krishna as the Supreme Person, the title Lord Krishna himself uses in the fifteenth chapter for the One who transcends both the perishable and the imperishable. This address shows reverence rather than mere curiosity.
Message for Everyday Life (Letting Faith Grow into Experience)
Do not stop at hearing: Many people collect inspiring ideas but never test them. Knowledge becomes real only when lived and experienced.
Practical approach: Take one teaching you admire, such as patience, gratitude or non-attachment, and practise it for a week. Let your trust in an idea be deepened by experience.
From Belief to the Longing for Vision
Arjuna begins by affirming his trust: 'You are exactly as you have described yourself.' He does not doubt. His request is not born of skepticism but of love. Having heard so much, the heart naturally wishes to see.
Evam etad yathāttha tvam (it is just as you say): Arjuna's faith is complete. In spiritual life, śraddhā, trust born of understanding, is the foundation. But faith itself seeks fulfilment in experience, just as someone who has heard endlessly about a great mountain longs to stand before it.
Aiśvaraṁ rūpam (the sovereign, divine form): The word aiśvara refers to īśvara, the Lord who is master of all. Arjuna has so far seen Krishna as a friend, a charioteer and a cousin. Now he wishes to see the cosmic majesty behind the familiar face.
Puruṣottama (the Supreme Person): Arjuna addresses Lord Krishna as the Supreme Person, the title Lord Krishna himself uses in the fifteenth chapter for the One who transcends both the perishable and the imperishable. This address shows reverence rather than mere curiosity.
Message for Everyday Life (Letting Faith Grow into Experience)
Do not stop at hearing: Many people collect inspiring ideas but never test them. Knowledge becomes real only when lived and experienced.
Practical approach: Take one teaching you admire, such as patience, gratitude or non-attachment, and practise it for a week. Let your trust in an idea be deepened by experience.
Next Topic
Arjuna has openly expressed his longing to see the Lord's divine form. But he does not demand it. In the next verse, he shows beautiful humility by asking whether he is even fit to receive such a vision.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Trust does not exclude the wish for deeper experience.
The noblest desire is to see truth as it is.
Awe begins where explanation ends.
What we hear informs; what we see transforms.
Love longs to behold what it reveres.
To say 'I believe You' and 'show me' can come from the same heart.
The seeker is never content with secondhand wisdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arjuna doubt Krishna when he says 'evam etat yathāttha' (it is exactly as You have said)?
What is 'aiśhvaryam' (divine majesty) referring to?
Why is Krishna addressed as 'parameśhvara' (Supreme Lord)?
What does 'puruṣhottama' (Supreme Person) signify?
Is it appropriate to desire a vision of the Divine?
Explore related topics
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