The Bhagavad-gita uses a distinctive structure for introducing the universal form. First, Krishna explains to Arjuna what he will be showing; then, Sanjaya explains to Dhritarashtra what is being shown by Krishna; finally, Arjuna describes what he is seeing. While both Krishna and Sanjaya describe the vision in four verses each, Arjuna describes it much more elaborately, in sixteen verses.
Why does the Gita use this triple descriptive framework? To help us gain a sense of a vision that is otherwise incomprehensible. When something is difficult to understand, it’s helpful to have that thing described or explained from different perspectives. In general, if someone sees something supernatural, it’s natural that most people will be suspicious. But if multiple people see the same thing, that increases the credibility of the vision. Beyond that, if we want to know more about what was actually seen, then we can try to integrate the details of the sight that different people had seen.
The Bhagavad-gita’s revelation of the universal form is arguably among the greatest mystical or supernatural visions in world theology. In this vision, the entire universe is shown from one place — it’s as if a glimpse of omniscience is offered.
Of course, in the immediate context of the Gita, Krishna’s description to Arjuna of what he is going to reveal is meant to help Arjuna understand the upcoming vision. In preceding revelation with description, Krishna underscores and utilizes a key principle in human cognition. We don’t see things just with our eyes; we see things with our intelligence that helps us make sense of what we see with our eyes.
One-sentence summary:
To help us better appreciate the vision of the universal form, the Gita describes it thrice: in Krishna’s words, in Sanjaya’s words and in Arjuna’s words.
Think it over:
- What strategy does the Gita use to describe the universal form?
- How does this strategy help?
- Why does Krishna precede his revelation to Arjuna with a description?
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11.05: The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, O son of Prutha, see now My opulences, hundreds of thousands of varied divine and multicolored forms.
To know more about this verse, please click on the image
Words make the World