Bhagavad Gita 11.5 — The Lord Invites Arjuna to Behold His Many Divine Forms
श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
पश्य मे पार्थ रूपाणि शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ।
नानाविधानि दिव्यानि नानावर्णाकृतीनि च ॥ ११.५ ॥
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The Blessed Lord said: O Arjuna, son of Pritha, behold My forms by the hundreds and thousands, manifold and divine, of various colors and shapes.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| paśhya | behold; see |
| me | My |
| pārtha | O son of Pritha (Arjuna) |
| rūpāṇi | forms |
| śhataśhaḥ | by the hundreds |
| atha | and |
| sahasraśhaḥ | by the thousands |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| nānā-vidhāni | of many kinds; manifold |
| divyāni | divine; celestial |
| nānā-varṇa | of various colors |
| ākṛitīni | shapes; forms |
| cha | and |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| paśhya | behold; see | nānā-vidhāni | of many kinds; manifold |
| me | My | divyāni | divine; celestial |
| pārtha | O son of Pritha (Arjuna) | nānā-varṇa | of various colors |
| rūpāṇi | forms | ākṛitīni | shapes; forms |
| śhataśhaḥ | by the hundreds | cha | and |
| atha | and | ||
| sahasraśhaḥ | by the thousands | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna responds to Arjuna's humble request and begins to reveal the vision. He invites Arjuna to look at his divine forms, which are not one but hundreds and thousands, in endless variety of colour and shape.
Essence
The Lord's Gracious Invitation
Notice how Lord Krishna replies. He does not argue, test or delay. He simply says, 'Behold.' The vision that Arjuna asked for with such hesitation is offered freely, because Arjuna's humility and devotion have made him ready.
Paśya me pārtha rūpāṇi (behold my forms, O Pārtha): The verb paśya means to see with full attention. By calling Arjuna Pārtha, son of Pṛthā, Lord Krishna addresses him with affection, as a family member. Even the cosmic form is shown with intimate love.
Śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ (by the hundreds and thousands): The Lord's forms are not limited to one. The Supreme appears as innumerable shapes, and no single image can capture him entirely. The same one Reality shines through all variety.
Nānāvidhāni divyāni (various and divine): The forms are divya, divine, not ordinary material shapes. They differ in colour and structure (nānāvarṇākṛtīni), showing that the Lord's creativity has no limit.
The unity within diversity: This verse quietly teaches that diversity is not opposed to unity. The countless forms in the world are expressions of one source.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing Unity in Diversity)
Respect differences: People differ in language, nature and belief, but the Gita invites us to see the same divine light in all.
Practical approach: When you meet someone very different from you, pause and look for what you share. This shift of vision reduces conflict and increases compassion.
The Lord's Gracious Invitation
Notice how Lord Krishna replies. He does not argue, test or delay. He simply says, 'Behold.' The vision that Arjuna asked for with such hesitation is offered freely, because Arjuna's humility and devotion have made him ready.
Paśya me pārtha rūpāṇi (behold my forms, O Pārtha): The verb paśya means to see with full attention. By calling Arjuna Pārtha, son of Pṛthā, Lord Krishna addresses him with affection, as a family member. Even the cosmic form is shown with intimate love.
Śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ (by the hundreds and thousands): The Lord's forms are not limited to one. The Supreme appears as innumerable shapes, and no single image can capture him entirely. The same one Reality shines through all variety.
Nānāvidhāni divyāni (various and divine): The forms are divya, divine, not ordinary material shapes. They differ in colour and structure (nānāvarṇākṛtīni), showing that the Lord's creativity has no limit.
The unity within diversity: This verse quietly teaches that diversity is not opposed to unity. The countless forms in the world are expressions of one source.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing Unity in Diversity)
Respect differences: People differ in language, nature and belief, but the Gita invites us to see the same divine light in all.
Practical approach: When you meet someone very different from you, pause and look for what you share. This shift of vision reduces conflict and increases compassion.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has invited Arjuna to see his many divine forms. He now begins to name some of the great beings of the universe that Arjuna will find within him, and promises wonders never seen before.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Many forms, one source.
The eye sees more when the heart is open.
Variety is the language of infinity.
Beneath every difference lies one reality.
A single view is only one of many.
The truth is not hidden; it waits to be seen.
Meet vastness with curiosity, not fear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Krishna say 'paśhya' (behold) first?
Why does Krishna call Arjuna 'pārtha' (son of Pritha)?
What do 'śhataśhaḥ' (by the hundreds) and 'sahasraśhaḥ' (by the thousands) imply?
What is meant by 'divyāni' (divine) forms?
What does 'nānā-varṇākṛitīni' (of various colors and shapes) convey?
Explore related topics
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