FolioCorpusBhagavad-gītā

Bhagavad-gītā 11.4

మన్యసే యది తచ్ఛక్యం మయా ద్రష్టుమితి ప్రభో । యోగేశ్వర తతో మే త్వం దర్శయాత్మానమవ్యయమ్ ॥ ౪ ॥
manyase yadi tac chakyaṁ
[manyase yadi tach chakyam]
mayā draṣṭum iti prabho
[mayaa drashtum iti prabho]
yogeśvara tato me tvaṁ
[yogeshvara tato me tvam]
darśayātmānam avyayam
[darshayaatmaanam avyayam]
Word-for-word
manyase — You think yadi — if tat — that śakyam — is able mayā — by me draṣṭum — to be seen iti — thus prabho — O Lord yoga - īśvara — O Lord of all mystic power tataḥ — then me — unto me tvam — You darśaya — show ātmānam — Your Self avyayam — eternal .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
manyase yadi tac chakyaṁ
manyase
You think
yadi
if
tat
that
mayā draṣṭum iti prabho
yogeśvara tato me tvaṁ
darśayātmānam avyayam
śakyam
is able
mayā
by me
draṣṭum
to be seen
iti
thus
prabho
O Lord
yoga - īśvara
O Lord of all mystic power
tataḥ
then
me
unto me
tvam
You
darśaya
show
ātmānam
Your Self
avyayam
eternal .
Important Words
  • manyase — You think
    Second-person singular present middle of man. Arjuna places the decision squarely with Kṛṣṇa. The grammar is the practice: surrender means letting the Lord judge one's capacity.
  • yadi — if
    A conditional that quietly admits the request may be refused. Real petitionary prayer always carries this 'if' — it asks without demanding.
  • śakyam — able
    Verbal adjective of śak. Not a claim of strength but an open question about it. Arjuna does not say 'I am capable'; he asks whether he is.
  • prabho — O my Lord
    Vocative of prabhu — the master who has authority. Arjuna addresses precisely the function he is invoking: the authority to grant or withhold darśana.
  • yoga - īśvara — O master of all mystic power
    The viśva-rūpa will be a display of yoga (mystic potency) — Arjuna names this title because only the yoga-īśvara can show what he is asking to see.
  • avyayam — inexhaustible
    Same word as 11.2 — Arjuna asks specifically for the imperishable Self, not a transient vision. The repetition signals that hearing has produced precise desire.
If You think that I am able to behold Your cosmic form, O my Lord, O master of all mystic power, then kindly show me that unlimited universal Self.
Purport

It is said that one can neither see, hear, understand nor perceive the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, by the material senses. But if one is engaged in loving transcendental service to the Lord from the beginning, then one can see the Lord by revelation. Every living entity is only a spiritual spark; therefore it is not possible to see or to understand the Supreme Lord. Arjuna, as a devotee, does not depend on his speculative strength; rather, he admits his limitations as a living entity and acknowledges Kṛṣṇa’s inestimable position. Arjuna could understand that for a living entity it is not possible to understand the unlimited infinite. If the infinite reveals Himself, then it is possible to understand the nature of the infinite by the grace of the infinite. The word yogeśvara is also very significant here because the Lord has inconceivable power. If He likes, He can reveal Himself by His grace, although He is unlimited. Therefore Arjuna pleads for the inconceivable grace of Kṛṣṇa. He does not give Kṛṣṇa orders. Kṛṣṇa is not obliged to reveal Himself unless one surrenders fully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and engages in devotional service. Thus it is not possible for persons who depend on the strength of their mental speculations to see Kṛṣṇa.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
4. If You think that I am qualified to see that form, O master, O Lord of qualification,
Commentary

then show to me that indestructible form. The word yogeśvara indicates that though Arjuna is unqualified (ayogya), the Lord with His power of qualification (yoga), can make him qualified to see that form.

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
4. If You think that I am qualified to see that form, O master, O Lord of qualification,
Commentary

then show to me that indestructible form. In this verse, Arjuna receives permission from the Lord to see that form of power. If You think, if You know, if You desire, that I am qualified to see that form, O master of all (prabho), show that indestructible form to me. O lord of qualification (yogeśvara), if I am not qualified (ayogya) to see You, Your śakti will make me qualified.

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Commentary

Srila Prabhupada explains in his Purport: "Every living entity is only a spiritual spark; therefore it is not possible to see or to understand the Supreme Lord. Arjuna, as a devotee, does not depend on his speculative strength; rather, he admits his limitations as a living entity and acknowledges Krsna's inestimable position. Arjuna could understand that for a l entity it is not possible to understand the unlimited infinite. If the infinite reveals Himself, then it is possible to understand the nature of the infinite by the grace of the infinite. The word yogesvara is also very significant here because the Lord has inconceivable power. If He likes, He can reveal Himself by His grace, although He is unlimited. Therefore Arjuna pleads for the inconceivable grace of Krsna. He does not give Krsna orders. Krsna is not obliged to reveal Himself unless one surrenders fully in Krsna consciousness and engages in devotional service. Thus it is not possible for persons who depend on the strength of their mental speculations to see Krsna." Arjuna knows that Krsna is not obliged to show His universal form, that's why he says: "If You think that I am qualified, then show me". Now Arjuna will be able to see the opulences which Krsna has previously spoken of.

[2. Krsna first describes His universal form of opulences, demigods, and time, which He'll soon show Arjun. He then bestows upon Arjuna, the divine eyes necessary to see it. (5‑8) ]

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study Key verse
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

Arjuna pleads and does not order – Arjuna requests to see Krishna in His form pervading the entire

universe (Unlimited Universal-self), only if , Arjuna is ‘qualified’ to see such a form and thus Arjuna is not

ordering Krishna

Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
11.4 Prabho, O Lord, Master; yadi, if; manyase, You think; iti, that; tat sakyam, it is possible; drastum, to be see; maya, by me, by Arjuna; tatah, then, since I am very eager to see, therefore; yogeswara, O Lord of Yoga, of yogis-Yoga stands for yogis; their Lord is yogeswara; tvam, You; darsaya, show; me, me, for my sake; atmanam avyayam, Your eternal Self. Being thus implored by Arjuna,
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
11.4 If You think that Your form as all-creator, as all-ruler and as all-supporter, can be seen by me, then, O Lord of Yoga - Yoga is the property of having knowledge and other auspicious attributes, for it will be said later on: 'Behold My Lordly Yoga' (11.8) - O treasure of knowledge, strength, sovereignty, valour, power and glory which are inconceivable in any one else! Reveal Yourself to me completely. 'Avyayam' (completely) is an adverb. The meaning is, 'Reveal everything about Yourself to me.' Thus, prayed to by Arjuna, who was desirous to know, and whose voice was therefore choked with fervour, the Lord said as follows to him:
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
11.4 Sri Abhinavagupta did not comment upon this sloka.
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
11.4 If Thou, O Lord, thinkest it possible for me to see it, do Thou, then, O Lord of the Yogins, show me Thy imperishable Self.
Commentary

11.4 मन्यसे Thou thinkest? यदि if? तत् that? शक्यम् possible? मया by me? द्रष्टुम् to see? इति thus? प्रभो O Lord? योगेश्वर O Lord of Yogins? ततः then? मे me? त्वम् Thou? दर्शय show? आत्मानम् (Thy) Self? अव्ययम् imperishable.Commentary Arjuna is very keen and eager to see the Cosmic Form of the Lord. He prays to Him to grant him the vision. This supreme vision can be obtained only through His grace.Yogesvara also means the Lord of Yoga. A Yogi is one who is endowed with the eight psychic powers (Siddhis). The Lord of the Yogins is Yogesvara. And? Yoga is identity of the individual soul with the Absolute. He who is able to bestow this realisation of identity on the deserving spiritual aspirant is Yogesvara.He Who is able to create? preserve? destroy? veil and graciously release is the Lord. (These five actions? Panchakriyas? are known respectively as Srishti? Sthiti? Samhara? Tirodhana and Anugraha.)

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
11.4 O Lord, if You think that it is possible to be seen by me, then, O Lord of Yoga, You show me Your eternal Self.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
11.4 If Thou thinkest that it can be made possible for me to see it, show me, O Lord of Lords, Thine own Eternal Self.
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Abhaya (Fearlessness)
Related verses
BG 9.2 BG 4.3 BG 18.67 SB 10.14.29 SB 3.9.11 SB 11.29.6 CC Madhya 20.353 CC Madhya 8.308 CC Antya 5.71 Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.23Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 3.20
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
If You think it possible for me to behold it, then please show — Arjuna leaves the decision to Kṛṣṇa.
Practical Applications
  • Voice your request, then leave the decision to Kṛṣṇa.
  • Don't try to manipulate the answer.
  • Practice the posture: ask, then trust His judgment.
Reflection Questions
  • Where am I trying to manipulate Kṛṣṇa's response?
  • What does pure asking-without-pressure look like?
Analogy

A student asks the teacher for the highest text only after the teacher has agreed he is ready. Arjuna does not assume his own qualification — he hands the verdict back to Kṛṣṇa, the way an honest patient hands the prognosis back to the physician.

Stories
Uddhava at Kṛṣṇa's departure

When Kṛṣṇa was preparing to leave the world, Uddhava clasped His feet and asked to be given the highest knowledge before parting (Bhāgavatam 11.6–7). He did not presume; he placed the request and let the Lord judge what he could carry. Kṛṣṇa then spoke the long Uddhava-gītā, opening one mystery after another because the disciple had asked in the right mood.

Arjuna's manyase yadi tat śakyam — 'if You think me capable' — is in this lineage. The disciple asks; Bhagavān decides what the disciple can hold.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

← Read full Chapter 11