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Chapter 11 · The Universal Form · 55 verses

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Bhakti & surrenderChapter 11 · The Universal Form

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 11.17

Arjuna prays in astonishment and reverence

किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रिणं च

तेजोराशिं सर्वतो दीप्‍तिमन्तम् ।

पश्यामि त्वां दुर्निरीक्ष्यं समन्ता-

द्दीप्‍तानलार्कद्युतिमप्रमेयम् ॥ १७ ॥

kirīṭinaṁ gadinaṁ cakriṇaṁ ca

tejo-rāśiṁ sarvato dīptimantam

paśyāmi tvāṁ durnirīkṣyaṁ samantād

dīptānalārka-dyutim aprameyam

Translation

Your form is difficult to see because of its glaring effulgence, spreading on all sides, like blazing fire or the immeasurable radiance of the sun. Yet I see this glowing form everywhere, adorned with various crowns, clubs and discs.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

The Glowing Form Everywhere

  1. 1Your form is difficult to see because of its dazzling brightness.
  2. 2Its light spreads in all directions, like blazing fire or the sun’s immeasurable radiance.
  3. 3Yet this glowing form is seen everywhere, adorned with various crowns, clubs and discs.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 11, The Universal Form: arjuna prays in astonishment and reverence.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Loving service and surrender to Kṛṣṇa.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 11.17 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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