Bhagavad Gita — Vishwarupa Darshana Yoga, Shloka 3

Vishwarupa Darshana Yoga

Devanagari script

एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर । द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम ॥ ११.३ ॥

Transliteration

evam etad yathāttha tvam ātmānaṁ parameśvara | draṣṭum icchāmi te rūpam aiśvaraṁ puruṣottama || 11.3 ||

Translation

正如你对自身所说的那样，确是如此，至上主（Paramēśvara）啊。至上之人（Puruṣottama）啊，我愿得见你那具神圣威德的主宰之相。

Gita Press Meaning

हे परमेश्वर! आपने अपने विषय में जैसा कहा है, यह ऐसा ही है। हे पुरुषोत्तम! मैं आपका ऐश्वर्ययुक्त रूप देखना चाहता हूँ।

Critical Edition Meaning

So it is, as you have described yourself, O supreme Lord. I wish to see your sovereign (aiśvara) form, O highest person.

Comparative Note

‘Aiśvara rūpa’ is variously translated as divine, majestic, or lordly form. Philosophically, it indicates a theophany: a form expressing sovereignty over the cosmos, not merely a personal or iconic image.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus, in this manner
• Root: एवम्

• एतत्: this (statement/teaching)
• एतत्: Karma
• Root: एतद्

• यथा: as, in the way that
• Root: यथा

• आत्थ: you have said/spoken
• Root: √अह् (ब्रू)

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta
• Root: युष्मद्

• आत्मानम्: yourself; the Self
• आत्मानम्: Karma
• Root: आत्मन्

• परमेश्वर: O Supreme Lord
• Root: परमेश्वर

• द्रष्टुम्: to see
• Root: √दृश्

• इच्छामि: I desire; I wish
• Root: √इष् (इच्छ्)

• ते: your (of you)
• Root: युष्मद्

• रूपम्: form
• रूपम्: Karma
• Root: रूप

• ऐश्वरम्: lordly, divine, majestic
• Root: ऐश्वर

• पुरुषोत्तम: O Supreme Person
• Root: पुरुषोत्तम

Speakers

• Arjuna

Primary Concepts

• Aiśvarya (sovereignty)
• Theophany
• Puruṣottama

Key Themes

• From doctrine to vision
• Epistemic desire for direct perception
• Divine sovereignty

FAQs

Psychological significance?

It expresses a common progression: intellectual assent leads to a desire for experiential confirmation, deepening commitment and understanding.

Metaphysical meaning?

Arjuna seeks apprehension of the divine as cosmic sovereignty—an encounter with ultimate reality as encompassing and ordering the whole.

Contextual relevance?

This is the pivotal request that triggers Krishna’s revelation of the universal form in chapter 11.

Modern Application?

It can be read as valuing evidence and experience alongside theory—seeking direct insight rather than relying only on second-hand descriptions.