Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 11 · Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 11.31 आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपो
श्लोक 11.31
आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपो
नमोऽस्तु ते देववर प्रसीद ।
विज्ञातुमिच्छामि भवन्तमाद्यं
न हि प्रजानामि तव प्रवृत्तिम् ॥
ākhyāhi me ko bhavānugrarūpo
namo'stu te devavara prasīda |
vijñātumicchāmi bhavantamādyaṃ
na hi prajānāmi tava pravṛttim ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
मुझे बताइए, इस उग्र रूप वाले आप कौन हैं? हे देवश्रेष्ठ! आपको नमस्कार है, प्रसन्न होइए। मैं आदि पुरुष आपको जानना चाहता हूँ, क्योंकि मैं आपकी इस प्रवृत्ति को नहीं समझ पा रहा।
Meaning in English
Tell me, who are you in this fierce form? I bow to you, O best of gods; be gracious. I wish to know you, the Primal One, for I do not understand what you are doing.
Bhagavad Gita 11.31 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| आख्याहि | ākhyāhi | tell |
| मे | me | me |
| कः | kaḥ | who |
| भवान् | bhavān | you, sir |
| उग्ररूपः | ugra-rūpaḥ | of fierce form |
| नमः अस्तु | namaḥ astu | salutation be |
| ते | te | to you |
| देववर | deva-vara | O best of gods |
| प्रसीद | prasīda | be gracious |
| विज्ञातुम् | vijñātum | to know |
| इच्छामि | icchāmi | I wish |
| भवन्तम् | bhavantam | you |
| आद्यम् | ādyam | the primal one |
| न हि | na hi | for not |
| प्रजानामि | prajānāmi | I understand |
| तव | tava | your |
| प्रवृत्तिम् | pravṛttim | purpose, working |
Explanation
Tell me, who are you in this fierce form? Salutations to you, O best of gods; be gracious. I wish to know you, the primal one, for I do not understand what you are doing. Arjuna, bewildered, asks the Lord to reveal his identity and purpose.
Though he has just praised Krishna as the eternal Person, the fierce form leaves Arjuna asking afresh: who are you, and what is this activity (pravritti)? The question leads directly to the famous reply in 11.32, 'I am Time'. Commentators note the mix of reverence and confusion: Arjuna bows and prays even while he does not understand. Shankara takes pravritti as the Lord's intention or course of action, which Krishna explains next.
भावार्थ
मुझे बताइए कि इस उग्र रूप वाले आप कौन हैं? हे देवश्रेष्ठ, आपको नमस्कार है, आप प्रसन्न हों। मैं आप आदिपुरुष को जानना चाहता हूँ, क्योंकि मैं आपकी इस प्रवृत्ति (उद्देश्य) को नहीं समझ पा रहा हूँ।
Living it today
When life's events seem harsh and confusing, it is fine to ask 'why?' — with humility rather than bitterness.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 11.31?
Tell me, who are you in this fierce form? Salutations to you, O best of gods; be gracious. I wish to know you, the primal one, for I do not understand what you are doing. Arjuna, bewildered, asks the Lord to reveal his identity and purpose.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.31?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 11 (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 11.31 in daily life?
When life's events seem harsh and confusing, it is fine to ask 'why?' — with humility rather than bitterness.
Reflected on verse 11.31?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.