Bhagavad Gita 11.16 — Aneka-bahudara-vaktra-netram — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ११.१६ — अनेकबाहूदरवक्त्रनेत्रम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
अनेकबाहु
aneka-bāhu
with many arms
उदर
udara
stomachs
वक्त्र
vaktra
faces; mouths
नेत्रम्
netram
eyes
पश्यामि त्वाम्
paśhyāmi tvām
I see You
सर्वतः
sarvataḥ
on every side; in all directions
अनन्तरूपम्
ananta-rūpam
of infinite form
न अन्तम्
na antam
no end
न मध्यम्
na madhyam
no middle
न पुनः तव आदिम्
na punas tava ādim
nor again any beginning of You
विश्वेश्वर
viśhveśhvara
O Lord of the universe
विश्वरूप
viśhva-rūpa
O Universal Form
Complete Translation
I see You with countless arms, stomachs, faces and eyes, of infinite form on every side. O Lord of the universe, O Universal Form, I see in You neither end nor middle nor beginning.
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 16
Author: Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva)
Period: Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)
In the eleventh chapter, Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga, as Arjuna beholds the universal form through the divine eye, he describes its infinite features. Here he sees countless arms, faces and eyes in every direction and, addressing Krishna as Lord of the universe, marvels that he can perceive neither beginning, middle nor end of the boundless form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Arjuna describe in Bhagavad Gita 11.16?▼
Arjuna describes the universal form as having countless arms, stomachs, faces and eyes, infinite on every side. He addresses Krishna as Lord of the universe and Universal Form, saying he can see no beginning, middle or end to the Lord.
Why can Arjuna find no beginning, middle or end?▼
Because the cosmic form is infinite and boundless. As the Supreme Reality, the Lord transcends all spatial and temporal limits, so the vision extends endlessly in every direction, revealing God's limitless, eternal nature.
What do the names 'Vishveshvara' and 'Vishvarupa' mean?▼
'Vishveshvara' means Lord or ruler of the universe, and 'Vishvarupa' means the Universal Form. Arjuna uses these names to address Krishna as the all-encompassing Supreme Being whose form contains and pervades the entire cosmos.
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