Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11 Verse 4 (11.4)
Reflective Prompt:
To see a reality beyond normal human perception, what do you think is required first?
- ▪ Option 1: Development of physical technology, sensors, or instruments.
- ▪ Option 2: Illumination of an inner, divine eye of spiritual vision.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11 Verse 4 (11.4)
मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो । योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयात्मानमव्ययम् | | ११-४ | |
manyase yadi tachchhakyaṁ mayā draṣhṭumiti prabho yogeśhvara tato me tvaṁ darśhayātmānamavyayam
Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
- मन्यसे
(manyase)— आप मानते हैं(if You think) - यदि
(yadi)— यदि(if You think) - तत्
(tat)— वह सब(that it can be seen by me) - शक्यम्
(shakyam)— संभव(that it can be seen by me) - मया
(maya)— मेरे द्वारा(that it can be seen by me) - द्रष्टुम्
(drashtum)— देखने के लिए(that it can be seen by me) - इति
(iti)— इस प्रकार(thus) - प्रभो
(Prabho)— हे प्रभु(O Lord)
Line 2:
- योगेश्वर
(Yogeshvara)— हे योगेश्वर(Lord of Yoga) - ततः
(tatah)— तब(then show me) - मे
(me)— मेरा(then show me) - त्वाम्
(tvam)— आपको(then show me) - दर्शय
(darshaya)— दिखाइए(then show me) - आत्मानम्
(atmanam)— अपने आत्मभाव को(Your imperishable Self) - अव्ययम्
(avyayam)— अविनाशी(Your imperishable Self)
English: If You think that it can be made possible for me to see it, show me, O Lord of Lords, Yours own eternal self.
Learnings from Shloka 4:
- Arjuna's delusion has softened:: Krishna's teaching has helped him understand the Self and divine order more clearly.
- Faith asks for vision:: Arjuna believes Krishna's words and now asks to see the universal form directly.
- Humility remains important:: He asks only if Krishna thinks he is able to see it.
- The request is devotional:: Arjuna wants to know Krishna more deeply, not merely witness a spectacle.
Gita Knowledge Quiz
Review this sectionNow that you have completed shlokas 1-4, check your understanding with a short quiz.
Take quizGita/Sanskrit Language Quiz
Practice this shloka vocabularyMatch Sanskrit words from shloka 11.4 with their Hindi and English meanings.
Practice vocabulary
Arjuna shows humility by asking to see the universal form only if Krishna thinks he is capable of beholding it. This illustrates that direct realization (Vigyan) is received through divine grace and preparedness.
### Shlokas 5-8 **The Lord describes His Universal Form.**