Bhagavad Gita 11.49 — Let There Be No Fear; Behold the Familiar Form Again
मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो दृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्ममेदम् ।
व्यपेतभीः प्रीतमनाः पुनस्त्वं तदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य ॥ ११.४९ ॥
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Let there be no fear in you, nor bewilderment, on seeing this terrible form of Mine. Free from fear and with a pleased mind, behold again this same form of Mine.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| mā | let there not be |
| te | to you |
| vyathā | fear; distress |
| mā | nor |
| cha | and |
| vimūḍha-bhāvaḥ | bewilderment |
| dṛiṣhṭvā | having seen |
| rūpam | form |
| ghoram | terrible |
| īdṛik | such |
| mama | My |
| idam | this |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| vyapeta-bhīḥ | free from fear |
| prīta-manāḥ | with a pleased mind |
| punaḥ | again |
| tvam | you |
| tat | that |
| eva | same |
| me | My |
| rūpam | form |
| idam | this |
| prapaśhya | behold |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| mā | let there not be | vyapeta-bhīḥ | free from fear |
| te | to you | prīta-manāḥ | with a pleased mind |
| vyathā | fear; distress | punaḥ | again |
| mā | nor | tvam | you |
| cha | and | tat | that |
| vimūḍha-bhāvaḥ | bewilderment | eva | same |
| dṛiṣhṭvā | having seen | me | My |
| rūpam | form | rūpam | form |
| ghoram | terrible | idam | this |
| īdṛik | such | prapaśhya | behold |
| mama | My | ||
| idam | this | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna reassures Arjuna not to be afraid or bewildered at seeing this terrible form, and invites him to become fearless and joyful and to behold again the familiar form he knows.
Essence
Comfort After the Storm
Having explained the vision, the Lord now attends to his friend's distress. This verse shows the gentle side of the Lord, who does not leave his devotee in fear.
Mā te vyathā (let there be no trembling for you): The word vyathā means distress. Lord Krishna directly tells Arjuna that he need not be afraid. The purpose of the vision was never to terrify him.
Mā ca vimūḍha-bhāvaḥ (nor a state of bewilderment): Vimūḍha means confused. Fear and confusion often go together. The Lord addresses both.
Dṛṣṭvā rūpaṁ ghoram īdṛṅ mamedam (having seen this terrible form of mine): The Lord himself calls the form ghora, fierce. He acknowledges that it was frightening and does not dismiss Arjuna's experience.
Vyapeta-bhīḥ prīta-manāḥ punas tvam (free from fear, with a glad heart, you again): The two conditions the Lord asks Arjuna to attain are freedom from fear and a pleased mind. These are signs of readiness to receive the next teaching.
Tad eva me rūpam idaṁ prapaśya (behold this very form of mine): The Lord now grants Arjuna's request and prepares to show him the beloved form.
Message for Everyday Life (Comforting Those Who Are Shaken)
Reassure before you instruct: People who are frightened cannot absorb advice. Comfort first, and then guidance becomes possible.
Practical approach: When someone close to you is upset, begin with calm presence and kind words. Wait until they feel safe before offering solutions.
Comfort After the Storm
Having explained the vision, the Lord now attends to his friend's distress. This verse shows the gentle side of the Lord, who does not leave his devotee in fear.
Mā te vyathā (let there be no trembling for you): The word vyathā means distress. Lord Krishna directly tells Arjuna that he need not be afraid. The purpose of the vision was never to terrify him.
Mā ca vimūḍha-bhāvaḥ (nor a state of bewilderment): Vimūḍha means confused. Fear and confusion often go together. The Lord addresses both.
Dṛṣṭvā rūpaṁ ghoram īdṛṅ mamedam (having seen this terrible form of mine): The Lord himself calls the form ghora, fierce. He acknowledges that it was frightening and does not dismiss Arjuna's experience.
Vyapeta-bhīḥ prīta-manāḥ punas tvam (free from fear, with a glad heart, you again): The two conditions the Lord asks Arjuna to attain are freedom from fear and a pleased mind. These are signs of readiness to receive the next teaching.
Tad eva me rūpam idaṁ prapaśya (behold this very form of mine): The Lord now grants Arjuna's request and prepares to show him the beloved form.
Message for Everyday Life (Comforting Those Who Are Shaken)
Reassure before you instruct: People who are frightened cannot absorb advice. Comfort first, and then guidance becomes possible.
Practical approach: When someone close to you is upset, begin with calm presence and kind words. Wait until they feel safe before offering solutions.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has told Arjuna to put aside fear. In the next verse, Sañjaya describes how the Lord actually returns to a gentle form and comforts the frightened Arjuna.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Fear softens when someone says 'I am here'.
Calm the mind before you look again.
The Divine comforts as well as dazzles.
A pleased heart sees clearly.
True friends soothe before they explain.
After the storm, home.
Fearlessness is a gift, not a demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'vyathā' (fear or distress) mean here?
What is 'vimūḍha-bhāvaḥ' (bewilderment)?
Why does the Lord call the form 'ghoram' (terrible)?
What do 'vyapeta-bhīḥ' (free from fear) and 'prīta-manāḥ' (with a pleased mind) invite Arjuna to do?
What does 'tad eva rūpam' (that same form) refer to?
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