Bhagavadgita Pages, Chapters 1 to 18
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www.bhagavadgitausa.com
V.Krishnaraj
08/12/2008
Om namO BhagavathE VAsudEvAya
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Chapter 11 The Grand Vision
Nammalvar (880-930 C.E) Vaishnava Saint-poet says the following in Divyaprabhandam.
*We are unable to see the sacred feet of Bhagavan (Krishna); His form is not visible to the external eyes until we can see Him with our internal eyes; at that moment, our (external) eyes see His dark-blue cloud color form bearing the discus. Verse 2612.
*Bhagavan wears the garland of Sacred Basil. Is He that easy of access? Humbler you are, easier is the access to the Lord. To me (Nammalvar), He is easy of access.--Verse 2613. From this it is obvious that Nammalvar had visions of the Lord.
*My eyes desire to witness His form. They would not
see any other. My mouth would not utter anything other than His auspicious
qualities. Verse 2636.
11.1:
Arjuna said:
As
a favor to me, You instructed me in matters of supreme secret and spiritual
Self. By what you said and by such words, my delusion is removed.
You did me a favor by your instructions on the
supreme Self, and my delusion is removed. The delusion is that you are the body
and not the self. Now that Krishna imparted important lessons on the Supreme
Self, the individual self and the means of attaining to Brahman, Arjuna's
awareness has increased.
11.2:
O Lotus-eyed One (Lord Krishna), creation and dissolution of all living
entities have been heard from You at length, so also Your imperishable
greatness.
Lord Krishna instructed Arjuna in matters of Supreme Secret, Spiritual Self, creation, maintenance, dissolution, rebirth. What about the ordinary people? Who instructs them in ways that they can understand. That is where Puranas come. Srinivas explains:
The puranas are religious stories in which figure deities and many semi-divine characters, and the public reading of the puranas and epics is even now popular. The puranas have played a great part in the spread of Hinduism as ordinary people became familiar with deities and ideas of Sanskritic Hinduism through them. Even more important is the fact that the puranas facilitated the absorption of local myths and legends. ... The puranas have been continually expanding, absorbing local myths and legends, and also weaving myths around great historical figures and, events. . . . Thus, through the Puranas, a local community becomes acquainted with the mythology of All-India Hinduism, and also its myths and legends are Sanskritized and made the property, of Hindus all over India.
11.3:
O Paramesvara (Supreme Lord), You are as you said (you are). I wish to
see your divine form, O Supreme Person.
Arjuna, having come to know Krishna as the
unmanifest, the manifest, the Supreme, the sustainer, the controller, and the
protector of His devotees, would like to see Him in his divine form. Arjuna
knows Him as the Self.
11.4:
If you think that by me it can be seen O Lord, then you show me Your
imperishable Self, O Lord of Yogis.
Krishna
is the First and the Foremost of All Yogis.
11.5:
Sri Bhagavan said: O Partha, see My forms by the hundreds, also by the
thousands: divine, many kinds, many colors and forms too.
Sri Bhagavan reveals Himself to Arjuna and says that
he could see his divine Self of many shapes, forms, and colors by the hundreds
and by the thousands. It is out of this world, spectacular, mind-blowing,
disorienting, and awe-inspiring; and it was never seen before.
11.6:
See the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the two Asvins, also the Maruts,
and many wonders that you have not seen before, O Bharata (Arjuna).
Asvins: Mercury and Venus
The view from the West:
Adityas are the sons of Aditi who vary in number from text to text. The eight Adityas are Mitra, Varuna, Dhatar, Aryaman, Amsa, Bhaga, Vivasvat, and Aditya (Surya). Satapatha Brahmana lists 12 Adityas, the 12 names of the sun. The sun illuminates the heaven and the earth; the former is populated by immortals and the latter by creatures of the earth. So sun is death on the earth side. All the worlds are attached to the sun by threads (? the thread of gravity). The Adityas are waiting on the wings to arrive at the dissolution of the world and so the sun is called 12-souled. The 12 Adityas are Vishnu, Sakra, Aryaman, Dhuti, Tvastr, Pusan, Vivasvat, Savitr, Mitra, Varuna, Amsa and Bhaga.
Rudras, the Howling Ones, are the Maruts, the sons of Rudra. They preside over 11 life-breaths (Rudra-Prana). , 10 of them representing physical and sensory entities and the 11th the individual soul or self. When they take leave of the body upon death, they wail (rud). 1110 Rudras surround Siva and also serve as escorts for Yama.
Asvins are the horse-headed charioteers associated primarily with sun and light and later with agriculture, cattle and horses, and also with medicinal plants for their healing powers, restoration of youth and prevention of death. They are considered the physicians of the mankind, as Dhanvantari is the physician of gods. They store the herbal pharmaceuticals in heaven and enjoy drinking Soma. They were known to cure the blind and the lame, restore fertility to the barren cows, and bring rain to relieve drought. They provided artificial limb made of metal to the amputees, a reference to surgery in Vedic times. They blow their Bakura (trumpets) and drive away the Asuras and Dasyus (demons and natives). They preserve the germ of life (ovary and its eggs) in all females. They were born of sun-god Dharma Vivasvat and Samjna, the daughter of Tvastr. Samjna could not bear the splendor and light of sun-god and left him to live as a mare; sun-god assumed the form of a stallion, found her and fathered the Asvins, thus the name Asvinikumaras. This is the reason for invoking Asvins in marriage ceremonies. Coomaraswamy opines that Asvins are Yaksas like Kubera.
11.7:
See here on My body in one place the whole universe, moving and unmoving,
O Gudakesa (Arjuna), and anything else you wish to see.
Ramanuja says that there are three parts to Brahman:
The whole universe is His body. The triad consists of Isvara, cit and acit
(prakara). Isvara is the antaryāmin meaning the inner controller of cit and
acit. Cit is life, the sentient world of organisms from ameba to man, and
plants. Acit is the world of matter, unmoving, and insentient. Upanishads
mention Himalayas as an example of unmoving object.
11.8:
But thou cannot see Me with your own (two physical) eyes; I give you
divine eyes to see My Yogam Aisvaram, My yogic power.
Your physical eyes are inadequate and therefore I
bestow upon you the divine eyes in order that you can see My yogic powers. I am
the sun, the moon, and the stars. I am Prāna. I am OM. I am
Self-effulgence. I am brighter than the brightest light. With the Divine eyes,
you can see My Universal imperishable Form, marvel and wonder.
11.9:
Sanjaya said:
Thus
saying, O King, the Great Controller and the Lord of yogic powers, Hari showed
to Arjuna His Supreme divine Universal form.
Sanjaya (charioteer, friend, secretary, and palace
companion) was acting as a reporter to the blind king Dhrtarastra, the father of
Kauravas, on the battlefield happenings. Sanjaya had this unique
“Omnivision” or clairvoyance, by which he could see in his mind’s eye and
recount all events in real time on the battlefield happenings, while staying
close to the blind king in safety and away from the battlefield. He was in
effect the Seeing Eye of the blind king, with omnivision. Kauravas are fighting
Arjuna and his brothers, who are deprived of their kingdom and honor. Obviously,
the revelation of the Supreme form of Krishna to Arjuna has not moved
Dhrtarastra to stop the fighting. Probably the karmic compulsions are stronger
than the will of Dhrtarastra to stop the fight; with the bind love for his sons,
he does not see even a modicum of justice.
11.10:
Many mouths and eyes, many visions of wonder and (marvel), many divine
ornaments, many divine weapons held up high.
In reality Bhagavan has no form, name, ornaments,
weapons or Pitambaram. He does not have appendages, accouterments, weapons, and
the rest. He does not need them to beautify or protect himself. They become
beautiful because they appear on his body. He is All on his own merit. He is
secure and beautiful without them. He sports them to please and protect the
devotees. We give extra hands, ornaments, and weapons and array him with
Pitambaram and the rest because we want to look at an auspicious form and
receive protection from him.
11.11:
Wearing Divine garlands and garments smeared with Divine perfumes, all
uncommonly wonderful, resplendent, boundless God facing all sides.
Visvato-mukham:
Facing all sides, one whose face is turned everywhere
I am the all-seeing and all-devouring Brahman. I strike wonder and awe in you with My visions. Look at My divine ornaments. My weapons are held high ready to be deployed. My divine opulence shows in My garlands and garments. My body is resplendent, wonderful, boundless all smeared with divine perfumes with My face looking in all directions.
11.12:
If a thousand suns rise and shine forth all at once in the sky, it could
be possible that their effulgence might equal the splendor of the Great or
Exalted Being.
I
resemble a thousands suns in My splendor.
11.13:
Arjuna beheld the complete universe divided into many parts, but brought
together in one place as one, in the body of God of gods.
Arjuna
saw this manifold universe in one place in the body of the God of the gods.
The
table lists the Lord’s body parts and their equivalences on this earth, heaven
and the netherworlds. Source: Bhagavatam. Goloka is the highest heaven and
Patala is the lowest place where chthonian (Danavas, Daityas, Yakshas) being live. Mountains separate Aloka (Mahar, Jana, Tapas, and
Satya lokas) from other lokas and the sun does not shine in such farthest areas
where gods and Siddhas live.
The
Cosmic Form of the Lord: Source Bhagavatam and other sacred texts.
The
table shows some overlaps to reflect different sources.
|
The
Body of the Lord |
The
many worlds and their residents |
|
The
Most Supreme Abode |
Goloka:
Krishna, Radha, Sridama (Krishna's friend) |
|
The
Supreme Abode |
Vaikuntha,
Abode of Lord Narāyana or Krishna or Vishnu, Devotees of Lord Krishna; |
|
Heads
of the thousand-headed |
Satyaloka–
Brahma's abode (Brahmaloka), Sankarsana. Brahma lives on the eyebrow. The
creation is a play of the eyebrows of the Supreme Lord. |
|
Brahma-randhra
(Anterior Fontanel area on the crown) |
The
exit point for the soul from the body. In addition, it is the entry point
of the soul. |
|
Forehead |
Tapoloka,
Vairagins' heaven |
|
Face
(midface) |
Janaloka:
Sri, Bhu, Siva (Rudra), Sanatkumara |
|
Neck |
Maharloka:
Bhrigu, Prajapati. Escapes sublation of three lower worlds. Above
the Polar star. |
|
Chest |
Svarloka:
Indra’s heaven, gods. Situated between sun and polar region |
|
His
Heart |
Avyaktam
or The Unmanifest or Primordial matter |
|
Breasts |
Indra's
heaven, also god of righteousness |
|
Arms |
Ksatriyas'
origin, also gods |
|
Navel |
Bhuvarloka Space between the earth and the sun (Munis and
Siddhas) |
|
Loins
or Hips
|
Bhurloka,
men, others animals–the Earth's crust |
|
Buttocks
or Thighs
|
Atala
or Vitalaloka, Vaishyas's origin. Subterranean locus (-2) Demon Bala, the
son Maya lives here. Here, women make any men sexually potent by
administering Hātaka elixir—ingredients not identified in Bhagavata
Purana Book five, Chapter 24 Verse 16. |
|
|
|
|
Knees |
Sutalaloka
- Subterranean locus (-3) Bali lives here with Lord Visnu as the
doorkeeper. |
|
Shins |
Talātala
- Subterranean locus (-5) Siva has given refuge to Maya in this location. |
|
Ankles |
Mahātala
- Subterranean locus (-6) A snake pit—a region of serpents |
|
Dorsum
of the feet
|
Rasātala
- Subterranean locus (-4). Daityas, Dānavas and Panis live here. They
are demons opposed to gods and stole Ambrosia from Dhanvantari, the
attending physician for gods. |
|
Feet |
Sudras'
origin |
|
Soles
of the Feet |
Pātāla
- Subterranean locus (-7) The kingdom of Vāsuki, the serpent king. |
|
His
Mind |
The
Moon was born of His mind |
|
His
Eyes |
The
Sun |
|
The
Eyelids (apt locations and metaphor for day and night) |
The
day and the night
|
|
His
Mouth |
Indira
and Agni (Fire) came out |
|
Nostrils |
Asvinikumaras―The
physicians of the gods |
|
The
Head |
The
Sky was born |
|
His
ears |
The
quarters |
|
His
Speech |
The
Vedas |
|
His
arms |
Indra
and the subsidiary gods |
|
His
Breath |
The
Vayu (Wind) was born |
|
The
Navel |
The
middle space was born |
|
His
Two feet |
The
earth evolved |
|
Crown
of the head (Brahma-randhra) |
Vedas,
Exit point for the departing soul |
|
His
jaw |
Yama,
the god of death |
|
Teeth |
Show
of affection |
|
Palate |
Lord
of water, Varuna |
|
Tongue |
Rasah,
the essence of any |
|
His
Smile |
Intoxicating
māyā
|
|
His
Glance |
Infinite,
unending creation |
|
Upper
Lip |
Modesty |
|
Lower
Lip |
Greed
(Lobhah) |
|
Breast
(right) |
Dharma–
Righteousness |
|
Back |
Adharma
- Unrighteousness |
|
Genital
- Phallus |
Ka
= Who, What and which. Prajapati, Brahma |
|
His
Gonads―testicles |
Gods
Mitra and Varuna (Sustainer of all created beings and water) Common
meaning of Mitra is “friend” |
|
Abdominal
Cavity (Kukshi) |
The
oceans |
|
Skeletal
mass |
The
hills and mountains |
|
Blood
vessels (Nadyah) |
The
rivers |
|
Body
hair |
The
vegetation |
|
|
|
|
His
activity |
The
continuous flow of gunas as in creation and the created |
|
The
water-laden clouds |
|
|
His
Eyebrows |
The
abode of Brahma |
|
His
Eyelashes |
Night
and day |
|
His
eyes |
The
Sun and the Moon |
|
His
ears |
The
Quarters, directions |
|
The
nares (nasal openings) |
The
Asvinis |
|
His
lips |
Greed
and modesty |
|
His
front teeth |
The
stars |
|
His
molars |
Death,
the great equalizer |
|
His
Smile |
Māyā,
illusion or māyā energy |
|
His
Breath |
The
Infinite power of air |
|
His
Speech |
The
formation of the birds in flight |
|
His
tunes |
Siddhas
and celestial artists |
|
His
mouth |
Fire |
|
|
|
|
The
twilight |
The
apparel or Raiment |
|
|
|
|
His
Mind |
The
Moon |
|
Mahim
or Cosmic Intelligence or Maha-tattva |
Universal
Consciousness |
|
Rudra |
Ego
of the Universal Soul |
|
His
Nails |
The
horse, the mule, the camel and the elephant |
|
His
Hips and Loins |
The
deer and other animals |
|
Manu |
Intelligence |
|
Manujah
-Sons of Manu |
Abode |
|
Ghandharvas
etc. |
Melody |
|
Asuras―Demons |
His
Virility―Virya |
Table:
The Lord’s body parts, the universe, and the functions
|
Hair
on body |
Vegetation,
trees especially those used in sacrifices |
|
Hair
on the head and face |
Clouds |
|
Nails |
Generates
electricity. Boulders and iron ore deposits |
|
Hands |
Fields
for gods |
|
Feet |
Shelter
for upper, lower and heavenly planets |
|
Genitals |
Water,
Vital Generative Fluid, Rain |
|
Anal
opening |
The
abode of the deity of death |
|
Anus
and Rectum |
Abode
of violence, ruin, death |
|
Back |
Ignorance,
frustration, adharma |
|
Veins |
Rivers |
|
Bones |
Mountains |
|
Avyakta―Unmanifest |
Oceans |
|
Abdomen |
The
materially devastated beings |
|
Heart |
Subtle
material bodies |
|
Consciousness |
Duty,
Justice, and four bachelors: Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanatkumara and Sanandana,
Also Sattva and Vijnāna -Goodness
and wisdom |
|
All
beings, past, present and future |
Occupy
one Vitastim, distance between the tip of extended thumb to the tip of the
fifth finger. – 9 inches or 12 angulams |
|
Upper
Lips |