The term ‘universal form’ essentially refers to a form that shows Krishna’s presence, power, purpose spread across the entire universe. The universal form pervades the universe from within or encompasses it from without or both. Krishna doesn’t have any such form that exists eternally in the spiritual world; he sometimes reveals it as a temporary vision to some special souls.
Why does Arjuna want to see this form? Because he desires to have visual vindication of Krishna’s previous verbal declaration: I sustain the whole universe with just a fragment of myself (10.42). Why does he desire this? For our benefit too. In the Gita, Arjuna represents Everyman (and Everywoman). Most of us understand something better when in addition to hearing about it, we also see it. Therefore, for our benefit, Arjuna requests to show his glories through his universal form.
The universal form in the Gita is a revelation, meaning that it is a top-down vision — the topmost divinity, Krishna, makes it visible to humanity through its representative, Arjuna. Krishna also offers similar revelations to a few others: his mother Yashoda, the Kuru prince Duryodhana and the sage Uttanga.
What about the rest of us who are not fortunate enough to behold such a revelation? Can we see God’s size and might spread throughout the universe? Yes, by treating the universal form as a bottom-up meditative tool for conceptualization, as described in Srimad-Bhagavatam. We can envision various objects within nature and even various celestial bodies in the universe as different parts of the body of the universal form. (2.5.36) Because that form is a conceptualization, it may be conceived slightly differently by different seekers. Hence, some minor differences in the descriptions of the universal form in different sections of the Bhagavatam.
One-sentence summary:
The universal form is a divine manifestation that helps us appreciate God’s cosmic scope and strength.
Think it over:
- What is the universal form?
- Why does Arjuna want to see it?
- How can we access the benefit of the universal form?
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11.03: O greatest of all personalities, O supreme form, though I see You here before me in Your actual position, as You have described Yourself, I wish to see how You have entered into this cosmic manifestation. I want to see that form of Yours.
To know more about this verse, please click on the image
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