bhagavad-gitagitakrishnavishvarupa-darshana-yoga

Bhagavad Gita 11.8 — Na Tu Mam Shakyase Drashtum

Bhagavad Gita 11.8 — Na Tu Mam Shakyase Drashtum in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Early morning during meditation, or while contemplating the universal form of the Lord·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 8

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

As Krishna prepares to reveal His universal cosmic form (Vishvarupa) to Arjuna, He explains that such a vision cannot be grasped by ordinary physical eyes. Out of grace, He bestows upon Arjuna a 'divine eye' to perceive His infinite majesty and sovereign power of yoga. This verse marks the threshold between the human and the transcendental, just before the awe-inspiring revelation of the eleventh chapter.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 8 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the eleventh chapter, Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga, Arjuna asks to see Krishna's universal form. Krishna agrees, but explains that human eyes cannot perceive such a vision. He therefore grants Arjuna a divine eye, after which Sanjaya — narrating to Dhritarashtra — describes the overwhelming revelation of the cosmic form that follows.

✦ As told in scripture

It is said that the divine eye granted to Arjuna allowed a single mortal to behold the entire cosmos — all gods, worlds and beings — gathered within the body of the Lord, a vision so vast that no human sight before or since could contain it without divine grace.

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The Mantra

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na tu māṁ śhakyase draṣhṭum anenaiva sva-chakṣhuṣhā divyaṁ dadāmi te chakṣhuḥ paśhya me yogam aiśhwaram

Meaning:But you cannot see Me with these your own eyes; therefore I give you a divine eye. Behold My majestic, sovereign power of yoga!

Word-by-Word Meaning

Click any word to hear its pronunciation

na🔊not

tu🔊but

mām🔊me

śhakyase🔊you are able

draṣhṭum🔊to see; to behold

anena eva🔊with these very

sva-chakṣhuṣhā🔊with your own (physical) eyes

divyam🔊divine

dadāmi🔊I give

te🔊to you

chakṣhuḥ🔊eye; vision

paśhya🔊behold; see

me🔊my

yogam aiśhwaram🔊majestic divine power and opulence (of yoga)

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 11.8 — Na Tu Mam Shakyase Drashtum

✦

Teaches that the Divine reveals Itself only by its own grace, not by mere effort

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Inspires the seeker to pray for the 'divine eye' of spiritual insight

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Reminds us that the Lord's true majesty lies beyond the reach of the physical senses

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Cultivates humility before the boundless power and opulence of God

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Encourages devotion as the means by which higher vision is granted

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Prepares the heart to contemplate the universal form (Vishvarupa) with reverence

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 11.8 — Na Tu Mam Shakyase Drashtum

Repetitions11times

Best TimeEarly morning during meditation, or while contemplating the universal form of the Lord

Chant this verse while meditating on Krishna's eleventh-chapter revelation of the cosmic form. As you recite, pray inwardly for the 'divine eye' — the inner vision that perceives the Lord in all things. Read it together with the verses that follow (11.9 onward), which describe the Vishvarupa, allowing the words to awaken wonder and devotion rather than mere imagination.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Bhagavad Gita 11.8 — Na Tu Mam Shakyase Drashtum written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

Krishna gives Arjuna a 'divine eye' (divya chakshu), a special spiritual vision, because the universal cosmic form cannot be perceived by ordinary physical eyes. With this divine sight, Arjuna is able to behold Krishna's infinite majesty.

The Vishvarupa, or universal form, is transcendental and infinite, beyond the limits of material perception. Just as a small lamp cannot reveal the whole sky, ordinary eyes cannot grasp the boundless form of God; only divinely granted vision can.

'Yogam aishwaram' refers to Krishna's majestic, sovereign power of yoga — His divine, lordly opulence and the mysterious power by which the entire universe is contained within Him. Arjuna is invited to behold this supreme power.

It teaches that true vision of the Divine is a gift of grace. The seeker may purify the heart through devotion, but the higher 'divine eye' of realization is ultimately bestowed by the Lord, reminding us to remain humble and surrendered.