Bhagavad Gita 11.52 — Even the Gods Long to See This Rarely Seen Form
श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
सुदुर्दर्शमिदं रूपं दृष्टवानसि यन्मम ।
देवा अप्यस्य रूपस्य नित्यं दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः ॥ ११.५२ ॥
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The Blessed Lord said: This form of Mine that you have seen is very difficult to see. Even the gods are always eager to behold this form.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| su-durdarśham | very difficult to see |
| idam | this |
| rūpam | form |
| dṛiṣhṭavān | have seen |
| asi | you |
| yat | which |
| mama | My |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| devāḥ | the gods |
| api | even |
| asya | of this |
| rūpasya | form |
| nityam | always |
| darśhana-kāṅkṣhiṇaḥ | eager to behold |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| su-durdarśham | very difficult to see | devāḥ | the gods |
| idam | this | api | even |
| rūpam | form | asya | of this |
| dṛiṣhṭavān | have seen | rūpasya | form |
| asi | you | nityam | always |
| yat | which | darśhana-kāṅkṣhiṇaḥ | eager to behold |
| mama | My | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that the form he has seen is extremely difficult to behold. Even the gods are always longing for a glimpse of this form.
Essence
A Rare and Precious Vision
Now that Arjuna is calm again, the Lord helps him understand the significance of what he has received. The point is not to boast but to deepen his gratitude.
Sudurdarśam idaṁ rūpaṁ dṛṣṭavān asi yan mama (this form of mine that you have seen is very difficult to see): The word sudurdarśa means extremely hard to see. The vision is beyond ordinary means of access.
Devā apy asya rūpasya (even the gods of this form): The gods, who dwell in higher realms and have great powers, are not above this longing. Even the highest beings aspire to this vision.
Nityaṁ darśana-kāṅkṣiṇaḥ (are always desirous of seeing it): The word nityam means constantly. This is a continual longing, not an occasional wish.
Gratitude and humility: By explaining the rarity of the vision, the Lord invites Arjuna to hold it with reverence and not to treat it as something ordinary.
A preparation for the next teaching: The Lord emphasises how difficult the vision is in order to lead Arjuna to the question of how it can be approached at all, which he answers in the verses that follow.
Message for Everyday Life (Appreciating What We Have Been Given)
Do not overlook rare blessings: Many things that others long for, such as good health, learning and a loving family, may be part of our daily life. We easily forget their value.
Practical approach: Take a moment to appreciate one thing in your life that many people would treasure. Gratitude turns familiarity into joy.
A Rare and Precious Vision
Now that Arjuna is calm again, the Lord helps him understand the significance of what he has received. The point is not to boast but to deepen his gratitude.
Sudurdarśam idaṁ rūpaṁ dṛṣṭavān asi yan mama (this form of mine that you have seen is very difficult to see): The word sudurdarśa means extremely hard to see. The vision is beyond ordinary means of access.
Devā apy asya rūpasya (even the gods of this form): The gods, who dwell in higher realms and have great powers, are not above this longing. Even the highest beings aspire to this vision.
Nityaṁ darśana-kāṅkṣiṇaḥ (are always desirous of seeing it): The word nityam means constantly. This is a continual longing, not an occasional wish.
Gratitude and humility: By explaining the rarity of the vision, the Lord invites Arjuna to hold it with reverence and not to treat it as something ordinary.
A preparation for the next teaching: The Lord emphasises how difficult the vision is in order to lead Arjuna to the question of how it can be approached at all, which he answers in the verses that follow.
Message for Everyday Life (Appreciating What We Have Been Given)
Do not overlook rare blessings: Many things that others long for, such as good health, learning and a loving family, may be part of our daily life. We easily forget their value.
Practical approach: Take a moment to appreciate one thing in your life that many people would treasure. Gratitude turns familiarity into joy.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has said that even the gods long for this vision. In the next verse, he repeats and deepens the earlier teaching: it cannot be gained by the Vedas, austerity, charity or sacrifice.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Some sights are given once.
Honor the rare.
Even the gods keep looking.
Privilege should soften, not harden.
Some visions are given, never taken.
Hard to see means worth seeing.
Longing is part of the path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'su-durdarśham' (very difficult to see) mean?
Why does the Lord say 'dṛiṣhṭavān asi' (you have seen)?
Who are the 'devāḥ' (gods) mentioned?
What does 'nityam' (always) express?
What does 'darśhana-kāṅkṣhiṇaḥ' (eager to behold) teach?
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