Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 11 verse 23
Chapter 11 · Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga

Honest Fear · Even Devotion Can Tremble

रूपं महत्ते बहुवक्त्रनेत्रं महाबाहो बहुबाहूरुपादम् । बहूदरं बहुदंष्ट्राकरालं दृष्ट्वा लोकाः प्रव्यथितास्तथाऽहम् ॥

rūpaṁ mahat te bahuvaktranetraṁ mahābāho bahubāhūrupādam, bahūdaraṁ bahudaṁṣṭrākarālaṁ dṛṣṭvā lokāḥ pravyathitās tathāham.

Meaning

"O mighty-armed one, seeing Your vast form with many mouths and eyes, many arms, thighs, and feet, many bellies, and many terrible tusks, the worlds tremble, and so do I."

Explanation

Even the most devoted heart can be honestly shaken when directly facing something of overwhelming scale.

Today's Life Lesson

It's okay to admit fear today, even about something you deeply believe in—honesty matters more than composure.

More verses to reflect on