Krishna looked upon Arjuna with compassion and spoke: “O Arjuna, know that I am the very seed of all beings. Nothing that moves or does not move can exist without Me. My divine manifestations are endless, O conqueror of foes—what I have described to you is but a small glimpse of My infinite glories. Wherever you see beings endowed with majesty, beauty, or strength, understand that they have arisen from just a spark of My radiance. But truly, what need is there for all this detailed knowledge? With but a single portion of Myself, I sustain this entire universe.” Hearing these words, Arjuna was filled with awe and gratitude. He said, “O Krishna, by sharing with me this supreme secret of spiritual wisdom, you have dispelled my confusion. I have learned from you, in detail, about the origin and dissolution of beings, and about your imperishable greatness. All that you have said about yourself, O Supreme Lord, I believe to be true. Yet, O Best of Persons, I long to see your divine form. If you think I am able to behold it, O Master, then reveal to me your imperishable Self.” Krishna replied with gentle authority, “Behold, O Arjuna, My forms—hundreds and thousands of them, divine, of many colors and shapes. See the Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Ashvins, Maruts, and many other wondrous forms, never before seen. Here, gathered within My body in this one place, behold the entire universe—moving and unmoving—and whatever else you wish to see. But you cannot see Me with your own eyes; therefore, I grant you divine sight. Behold now My majestic yoga!” As Krishna finished speaking, Sanjaya, who was witnessing the scene from afar, described to King Dhritarashtra what transpired: “O King, Hari, the great Lord of Yoga, then revealed to Arjuna His supreme, divine form. This form had countless faces and eyes, displayed many marvelous visions, was adorned with countless divine ornaments, and wielded many uplifted, divine weapons. He wore celestial garlands and garments, was anointed with heavenly fragrances, and was full of wonders—an infinite God, facing in all directions. If the radiance of a thousand suns were to rise at once in the sky, it might resemble the brilliance of that great soul. Within the body of the God of gods, Arjuna saw the entire universe, divided into many parts, gathered together as one.” Overwhelmed with awe, Arjuna’s hair stood on end. He bowed his head to the divine form and, with joined palms, spoke: “O Krishna, I see all the gods in Your divine body, and also the distinct groups of beings. I see Brahma seated on the lotus, the ancient sages, and all the celestial serpents. I see You everywhere, with countless arms, bellies, faces, and eyes, with infinite forms. I see no end, no middle, nor any beginning, O Lord of the Universe, O Cosmic Form. I see You crowned, wielding mace and discus, shining everywhere with a radiance difficult to behold, blazing like fire and the sun, immeasurable. You are the imperishable, the supreme to be known, the ultimate refuge of the universe, the unchanging guardian of eternal dharma, the eternal Person—I believe this to be so. By Your own radiance, You scorch the entire universe. This space between heaven and earth and all the directions is pervaded by You alone. Seeing Your wondrous and terrible form, O Great Soul, the three worlds are greatly troubled. “Indeed, hosts of gods enter into You; some, in fear, with joined palms, praise You; bands of great sages and perfected beings extol You with abundant hymns, praying for peace. The Rudras, Adityas, Vasus, Sadhyas, Vishvedevas, Ashvins, Maruts, ancestors, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Asuras, and Siddhas—all gaze upon You in amazement. Seeing Your vast form with many faces and eyes, O mighty-armed, with many arms, thighs, and feet, with many bellies, and fearsome with many fangs, the worlds are terrified, and so am I. O Vishnu, seeing You touching the sky, blazing, multicolored, with gaping mouths and fiery, wide eyes, my inner self is shaken; I find no steadiness nor peace. Seeing Your mouths, terrible with fangs and resembling the fire of destruction, I lose all sense of direction and comfort; have mercy, O Lord of gods, refuge of the universe. “All these sons of Dhritarashtra, along with the bands of kings, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, and the foremost of our warriors, are all rushing into Your dreadful mouths, some caught between Your teeth with their heads crushed. As many swift currents of rivers flow towards the ocean, so these heroes of the human world enter Your flaming mouths. As moths rush with great speed into a blazing fire to their destruction, so too do the worlds rush with great speed into Your mouths for their destruction. You lick up and devour all the worlds on every side with Your flaming mouths; filling the whole universe with Your radiance, Your fierce rays scorch it, O Vishnu. Tell me, who are You in this terrible form? Salutations to You, O supreme God; have mercy. I wish to know You, the original being, for I do not understand Your purpose.” Then Krishna, the Blessed Lord, replied, “I am Time, the great destroyer of worlds, arisen to annihilate these people. Even without you, all the warriors arrayed in the opposing ranks will not survive. Therefore, arise, win glory, conquer your enemies, and enjoy a prosperous kingdom. By Me alone, they have already been slain; you are merely the instrument, O left-handed archer. Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna, and all the other heroic warriors have already been slain by Me. Do not hesitate—fight, and you shall conquer your foes in battle.” Sanjaya continued, “Hearing these words of Krishna, Arjuna, the crowned one, trembling, with joined palms, bowed down repeatedly. With a choked and fearful voice, he addressed Krishna again.” And Arjuna said, “Rightly, O Hrishikesha, does the world rejoice and delight in Your praise. The demons, in fear, flee in all directions, and all the hosts of perfected beings bow to You.