The Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form

Krishna begins the revelation. 'Paśya me pārtha rūpāṇi'—behold (paśya) My forms (rūpāṇi), O Arjuna (pārtha). 'Śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ'—by hundreds (śataśaḥ) and thousands (sahasraśaḥ). 'Nānā-vidhāni divyāni'—various kinds (nānā-vidhāni) of divine (divyāni) forms. 'Nānā-varṇākṛtīni ca'—and (ca) of various colors (nānā-varṇa) and shapes (ākṛtīni). Krishna has granted Arjuna divine vision and begins revealing the cosmic form. This isn't just one form—it's countless forms, all divine, displaying infinite variety. This verse marks the beginning of the most dramatic revelation in the Gita: Arjuna will witness the universal form encompassing all creation.