Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 11 · Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 11.12 दिवि सूर्यसहस्रस्य भवेद्युगपदुत्थिता
श्लोक 11.12
दिवि सूर्यसहस्रस्य भवेद्युगपदुत्थिता ।
यदि भाः सदृशी सा स्याद्भासस्तस्य महात्मनः ॥
divi sūryasahasrasya bhavedyugapadutthitā |
yadi bhāḥ sadṛśī sā syādbhāsastasya mahātmanaḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
यदि आकाश में एक साथ हज़ार सूर्यों का प्रकाश उदय हो जाए, तो वह शायद उस महात्मा के तेज के समान हो सके।
Meaning in English
If the light of a thousand suns were to blaze forth all at once in the sky, it might perhaps resemble the radiance of that great Being.
Bhagavad Gita 11.12 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| दिवि | divi | in the sky |
| सूर्यसहस्रस्य | sūrya-sahasrasya | of a thousand suns |
| भवेत् | bhavet | were to be |
| युगपत् | yugapat | at once |
| उत्थिता | utthitā | risen |
| यदि | yadi | if |
| भाः | bhāḥ | radiance |
| सदृशी | sadṛśī | like |
| सा | sā | that |
| स्यात् | syāt | might be |
| भासः | bhāsaḥ | to the radiance |
| तस्य | tasya | of that |
| महात्मनः | mahā-ātmanaḥ | great being |
Explanation
If the light of a thousand suns were to blaze forth all at once in the sky, that might resemble the splendour of that great being. Sanjaya can only describe the brilliance of the form through an image beyond imagining.
This is one of the most quoted verses of the Gita. The 'thousand suns' is not a measurement but a way of saying the light surpasses all comparison, and even then the verse says only that it 'might' resemble it. J. Robert Oppenheimer is reported to have recalled this verse, along with 11.32, at the first atomic test in 1945. For commentators the point is spiritual: the Divine is the light of all lights, as 13.17 and 15.12 also say.
भावार्थ
यदि आकाश में एक साथ हज़ार सूर्यों का प्रकाश उदय हो जाए, तो वह शायद उस महात्मा (विराट् रूप) के प्रकाश के समान हो सके। वह प्रकाश किसी भी उपमा से परे था।
Living it today
When you meet something truly great, admit that words fall short — humility is the right response to real splendour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 11.12?
If the light of a thousand suns were to blaze forth all at once in the sky, that might resemble the splendour of that great being. Sanjaya can only describe the brilliance of the form through an image beyond imagining.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.12?
Sanjaya speaks this verse, in Chapter 11 (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 11.12 in daily life?
When you meet something truly great, admit that words fall short — humility is the right response to real splendour.
Reflected on verse 11.12?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.