Bhagavad Gita 11.6 — Behold the Gods and Wonders Never Seen Before
पश्यादित्यान्वसून्रुद्रानश्विनौ मरुतस्तथा ।
बहून्यदृष्टपूर्वाणि पश्याश्चर्याणि भारत ॥ ११.६ ॥
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Behold the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the two Ashvins, and the Maruts. O descendant of Bharata, behold many wonders never seen before.
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 |
| ādityān | the twelve Adityas (solar deities) |
| vasūn | the eight Vasus |
| rudrān | the eleven Rudras |
| aśhvinau | the two Ashvini Kumaras |
| marutaḥ | the forty-nine Maruts (wind deities) |
| tathā | and also |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| bahūni | many |
| adṛiṣhṭa-pūrvāṇi | never seen before |
| paśhya | behold |
| āśhcharyāṇi | wonders; marvels |
| bhārata | O descendant of Bharata |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| paśhya | behold | bahūni | many |
| ādityān | the twelve Adityas (solar deities) | adṛiṣhṭa-pūrvāṇi | never seen before |
| vasūn | the eight Vasus | paśhya | behold |
| rudrān | the eleven Rudras | āśhcharyāṇi | wonders; marvels |
| aśhvinau | the two Ashvini Kumaras | bhārata | O descendant of Bharata |
| marutaḥ | the forty-nine Maruts (wind deities) | ||
| tathā | and also | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna continues the invitation by pointing to the great divine groups of beings, the Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Aśvins and Maruts, and promises that Arjuna will see wonders that no one has seen before.
Essence
The Gods and Wonders within the Lord
Lord Krishna now gives Arjuna a glimpse of the scale of what he is about to see. He names the divine hosts who govern the cosmos, and tells Arjuna that these powerful beings are all contained in him.
Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Aśvins, Maruts: These are groups of divine powers associated with the sun, the elements, destruction and renewal, healing, and the winds. They represent the forces that sustain and move the universe. That they appear within the Lord shows that all powers derive from the one Supreme.
Bahūny adṛṣṭapūrvāṇi (many never seen before): Lord Krishna says that Arjuna will see wonders never witnessed before. This is not just the great but the unprecedented. The vision will exceed anything that memory or imagination can supply.
Paśyāścaryāṇi (behold the wonders): The word āścarya means astonishing marvel. Lord Krishna prepares Arjuna so that he will not be overwhelmed. Even a gift as vast as this is given with care.
Message for Everyday Life (Cultivating Wonder)
Do not lose your sense of wonder: Familiarity dulls our appreciation of life. Sunrise, a child's laughter and a healthy body are all wonders we overlook.
Practical approach: Each day, pause for a moment to truly notice something you usually take for granted. A mind that can wonder is a mind that can feel gratitude and reverence.
The Gods and Wonders within the Lord
Lord Krishna now gives Arjuna a glimpse of the scale of what he is about to see. He names the divine hosts who govern the cosmos, and tells Arjuna that these powerful beings are all contained in him.
Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Aśvins, Maruts: These are groups of divine powers associated with the sun, the elements, destruction and renewal, healing, and the winds. They represent the forces that sustain and move the universe. That they appear within the Lord shows that all powers derive from the one Supreme.
Bahūny adṛṣṭapūrvāṇi (many never seen before): Lord Krishna says that Arjuna will see wonders never witnessed before. This is not just the great but the unprecedented. The vision will exceed anything that memory or imagination can supply.
Paśyāścaryāṇi (behold the wonders): The word āścarya means astonishing marvel. Lord Krishna prepares Arjuna so that he will not be overwhelmed. Even a gift as vast as this is given with care.
Message for Everyday Life (Cultivating Wonder)
Do not lose your sense of wonder: Familiarity dulls our appreciation of life. Sunrise, a child's laughter and a healthy body are all wonders we overlook.
Practical approach: Each day, pause for a moment to truly notice something you usually take for granted. A mind that can wonder is a mind that can feel gratitude and reverence.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has promised Arjuna extraordinary wonders. He now takes the invitation to its fullest extent, telling Arjuna that the whole universe, moving and unmoving, can be seen gathered in a single place.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
The unseen is vaster than the seen.
Every power in the universe leads back to one origin.
Surprise is the doorway to humility.
Behind the universe's motion lies deep intelligence.
Open eyes find new worlds.
Honor the forces larger than yourself.
Curiosity is the first step toward the unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the 'Ādityas' (twelve solar deities)?
Who are the 'Vasus' (eight elemental deities)?
Who are the 'Rudras' (eleven storm deities)?
What are 'Aśhvinau' (the two Ashvini Kumaras) and 'Maruts' (wind deities)?
What does 'adṛiṣhṭa-pūrvāṇi' (never seen before) tell us?
Explore related topics
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