Hindu EpicsKrishna Tales

Krishna Reveals His Universal Form

Krishna unveils his infinite, cosmic self to Arjuna to explain the nature of divinity and duty.

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Story Summary

Experience the awe-inspiring moment when Krishna Reveals His Universal Form to Arjuna, a pivotal scene from the Bhagavad Gita showcasing divine infinity.

On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Prince Arjuna stood paralyzed by grief and moral dilemma, refusing to fight against his own kin. To guide him, his charioteer, Lord Krishna, imparted the profound wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. When Arjuna requested to see Krishna’s divine sovereignty, the Lord granted him celestial vision. Instantly, Krishna transformed into the Vishwarupa—the Universal Form. He appeared with infinite faces, countless eyes, and bodies stretching across the cosmos, containing all gods, stars, and time itself. Arjuna witnessed the beginning and the end of all existence within Krishna’s radiant being. Trembling with awe and fear, Arjuna realized that Krishna was the supreme reality behind all creation, leading him to shed his ego and embrace his duty with newfound clarity and devotion.

The Moral

The divine encompasses all of existence, and one must perform their righteous duty with faith in the supreme cosmic order.

“I am Time, the great destroyer of worlds, and I have come here to destroy all people.”

Fun Fact

J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, famously recalled a line from this scene during the first nuclear test in 1945.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of Krishna Reveals His Universal Form?

The story teaches that the divine is omnipresent and that human life is part of a much larger cosmic plan. It encourages individuals to fulfill their dharma, or duty, without being attached to the results.

Why did Krishna show his universal form to Arjuna?

Krishna revealed the Vishwarupa to remove Arjuna's doubts and demonstrate that he is the ultimate source of all creation, destruction, and moral order.

What does 'Vishwarupa' mean?

Vishwarupa translates to 'Universal Form' or 'Omni-form,' representing the totality of the universe manifested as a single divine being.

Which Hindu scripture contains this story?

This iconic revelation occurs in the 11th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, which is a part of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata.

Who else was able to see the Vishwarupa?

Besides Arjuna, who was given divine sight, the sage Vyasa granted Sanjaya the power of telepathic vision to describe the event to the blind King Dhritarashtra.

How did Arjuna react to the vision?

Initially awestruck, Arjuna soon became terrified by the overwhelming power and scale of the form, eventually asking Krishna to return to his gentle, human-like form.