Bhagavad Gita 11.9 — Hari Reveals His Supreme Divine Form
सञ्जय उवाच ।
एवमुक्त्वा ततो राजन्महायोगेश्वरो हरिः ।
दर्शयामास पार्थाय परमं रूपमैश्वरम् ॥ ११.९ ॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
Sanjaya said: O King, having spoken thus, Hari, the great Lord of Yoga, then revealed to Arjuna, the son of Pritha, His supreme and divine 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 |
| uktvā | having spoken |
| tataḥ | then |
| rājan | O King (Dhritarashtra) |
| mahā-yoga-īśhvaraḥ | the great Lord of Yoga |
| hariḥ | Hari; Krishna |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| darśhayām āsa | showed; revealed |
| pārthāya | to Arjuna, son of Pritha |
| paramam | supreme |
| rūpam | form |
| aiśhvaram | divine; majestic |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| evam | thus | darśhayām āsa | showed; revealed |
| uktvā | having spoken | pārthāya | to Arjuna, son of Pritha |
| tataḥ | then | paramam | supreme |
| rājan | O King (Dhritarashtra) | rūpam | form |
| mahā-yoga-īśhvaraḥ | the great Lord of Yoga | aiśhvaram | divine; majestic |
| hariḥ | Hari; Krishna | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
At this point the narration passes to Sañjaya, who tells the blind king Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Lord Krishna, the great Lord of yoga, revealed to Arjuna his supreme sovereign form.
Essence
Sañjaya Describes the Revelation
The Gita is narrated to Dhṛtarāṣṭra by Sañjaya, who had been given divine sight to witness the events of the war. Here Sañjaya takes over the narration to describe a moment so extraordinary that Arjuna alone could not express it.
Evam uktvā (having spoken thus): The Lord's words have been spoken, and now action follows. Teaching and revelation go together; the Lord first prepares the mind with words and then reveals the truth through direct experience.
Mahāyogeśvaro hariḥ (Hari, the great Lord of yoga): Sañjaya calls Krishna Hari, the one who removes sorrow and sin, and Mahāyogeśvara, the great master of yoga. These titles remind us that this vision is an act of divine power and compassion.
Paramaṁ rūpam aiśvaram (the supreme sovereign form): What follows is not a magical trick but the unveiling of Lord Krishna's true greatness. The charioteer is revealed as the Lord of the universe.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing Greatness in the Ordinary)
Do not judge by appearances: Arjuna had been walking and talking with the Lord daily without perceiving the full truth. Likewise, we may overlook extraordinary qualities in the people and moments around us.
Practical approach: Look more attentively at the people close to you, and appreciate their hidden strengths and sacrifices while you can.
Sañjaya Describes the Revelation
The Gita is narrated to Dhṛtarāṣṭra by Sañjaya, who had been given divine sight to witness the events of the war. Here Sañjaya takes over the narration to describe a moment so extraordinary that Arjuna alone could not express it.
Evam uktvā (having spoken thus): The Lord's words have been spoken, and now action follows. Teaching and revelation go together; the Lord first prepares the mind with words and then reveals the truth through direct experience.
Mahāyogeśvaro hariḥ (Hari, the great Lord of yoga): Sañjaya calls Krishna Hari, the one who removes sorrow and sin, and Mahāyogeśvara, the great master of yoga. These titles remind us that this vision is an act of divine power and compassion.
Paramaṁ rūpam aiśvaram (the supreme sovereign form): What follows is not a magical trick but the unveiling of Lord Krishna's true greatness. The charioteer is revealed as the Lord of the universe.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing Greatness in the Ordinary)
Do not judge by appearances: Arjuna had been walking and talking with the Lord daily without perceiving the full truth. Likewise, we may overlook extraordinary qualities in the people and moments around us.
Practical approach: Look more attentively at the people close to you, and appreciate their hidden strengths and sacrifices while you can.
Next Topic
Sañjaya has announced that the supreme form was shown. In the next verse, he begins to paint this astonishing vision for Dhṛtarāṣṭra, describing its countless faces, eyes and divine weapons.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Truth shows itself to those who are prepared.
To see and tell honestly is a service.
A sincere wish is answered beyond expectation.
Words backed by action carry power.
True power serves rather than dominates.
Some moments change a life forever.
What is shown stays longer than what is said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is 'Sañjaya' (the narrator) and why does he speak here?
Why is Krishna called 'Hari' (the remover of sin and sorrow)?
What does 'mahā-yogeśhvaraḥ' (great Lord of Yoga) mean?
Why does Sanjaya address Dhritarashtra as 'rājan' (O King)?
What is the 'paramam aiśhvaram rūpam' (supreme divine form)?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: