The Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form

Krishna emphasizes the rarity and difficulty of seeing the cosmic form. 'Sudurdarśam idaṁ rūpaṁ dṛṣṭavān asi yan mama'—this (idam) form (rūpam) of Mine (mama) which (yat) you have seen (dṛṣṭavān asi) is very difficult to see (sudurdarśam). 'Devā apyasya rūpasya nityaṁ darśana-kāṅkṣiṇaḥ'—even (api) the gods (devāḥ) are constantly (nityam) desiring to see (darśana-kāṅkṣiṇaḥ) this form (asya rūpasya). Krishna emphasizes that seeing the cosmic form is extremely rare—even the gods constantly desire to see it but cannot. This verse shows the special nature of the vision granted to Arjuna—it's not something that can be achieved easily, even by the gods. This prepares for Krishna's explanation of the path to see this form through devotion.