Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 11 · Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 11.8 न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा
श्लोक 11.8
न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा ।
दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षुः पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् ॥
na tu māṃ śakyase draṣṭumanenaiva svacakṣuṣā |
divyaṃ dadāmi te cakṣuḥ paśya me yogamaiśvaram ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
परंतु तुम अपनी इन आँखों से मुझे नहीं देख सकते। मैं तुम्हें दिव्य दृष्टि देता हूँ; उससे मेरी ईश्वरीय योगशक्ति को देखो।
Meaning in English
But you cannot see me with these ordinary eyes of yours. So I now give you divine sight; with it, behold my sovereign power.
Bhagavad Gita 11.8 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| न | na | not |
| तु | tu | but |
| माम् | mām | me |
| शक्यसे | śakyase | you are able |
| द्रष्टुम् | draṣṭum | to see |
| अनेन | anena | with this |
| एव | eva | alone |
| स्वचक्षुषा | sva-cakṣuṣā | with your own eyes |
| दिव्यम् | divyam | divine |
| ददामि | dadāmi | I give |
| ते | te | to you |
| चक्षुः | cakṣuḥ | eye |
| पश्य | paśya | behold |
| मे | me | my |
| योगम् | yogam | yogic power |
| ऐश्वरम् | aiśvaram | sovereign |
Explanation
But you cannot see me with these eyes of yours alone. I give you a divine eye — behold my sovereign yogic power. Ordinary sight cannot take in the cosmic form, so Krishna grants Arjuna a special vision. What follows is seen through this gift of divine sight.
The 'divine eye' (divya cakshu) is one of the most discussed ideas of the chapter. Many teachers read it as a spiritual faculty of insight rather than a physical change, the same kind of gift Vyasa gave Sanjaya so that he could narrate the war. Classical commentators treat it as supernatural sight granted by grace. The verse teaches that the highest truth is not reached by the senses alone but is revealed when the Divine opens the inner eye.
भावार्थ
परन्तु तुम अपनी इन साधारण आँखों से मुझे नहीं देख सकते। इसलिए मैं तुम्हें दिव्य दृष्टि देता हूँ, जिससे तुम मेरी ईश्वरीय योग-शक्ति को देखो। साधारण आँखें उस विराट् रूप को नहीं देख सकतीं।
Living it today
Some truths need a different way of seeing — patience, reflection or a teacher's help — not just more looking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 11.8?
But you cannot see me with these eyes of yours alone. I give you a divine eye — behold my sovereign yogic power. Ordinary sight cannot take in the cosmic form, so Krishna grants Arjuna a special vision. What follows is seen through this gift of divine sight.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 11.8?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 11 (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 11.8 in daily life?
Some truths need a different way of seeing — patience, reflection or a teacher's help — not just more looking.
Reflected on verse 11.8?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.