Chapter 11: Viśvarūpa-darśana-yoga:: Verse 54
भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन ।
ज्ञातुं द्रष्टुं च तत्त्वेन प्रवेष्टुं च परन्तप ॥
bhaktyā tv-ananyayā śakya aham-evaṃ-vidho’rjuna
jñātuṃ draṣṭuṃ ca tattvena praveṣṭuṃ ca parantapa – 11.54
But Arjuna, only by unswerving exclusive devotion, one can know, visualize, realize in essence and finally enter into this Universal Dimension of Mine, O scorcher of enemies.
Chapter 11: Viśvarūpa-darśana-yoga: - Verse 54
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Krishna did not say how one will be able to see Viśva-rūpa. He merely declared what methods will not work (11.48 & 53). True, sacred Vedic study, devout performance of holy yajμas, liberal pursuit of dāna, stringent observance of austerities – none of these will lead to comprehending the Viśva-rūpa. Then what will empower the seeker in the matter? Krishna answers the question.
Exclusive devotion alone, wherein the mind is wholesomely attuned to the Supreme, will equip the seeker for the purpose. He must first understand the universal magnitude; then he has to picture it within himself, and finally realize that he is already within it.
There is thus no question of entering the Viśva-rūpa at all. The entry is in and through the knowledge and realization he derives in this regard, marking the fulfilment of devotional pursuit. How well Krishna explains the subtle process!
