Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 36 (BG 11.36) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

11.36 स्थाने it is meet? हृषीकेश O Krishna? तव Thy? प्रकीर्त्या by praise? जगत् the world? प्रहृष्यति is delighted? अनुरज्यते rejoices? च and? रक्षांसि the demons? भीतानि in fear? दिशः to all arters? द्रवन्ति fly? सर्वे all? नमस्यन्ति bow (to Thee)? च and? सिद्धसङ्घाः the hosts of the perfected ones.Commentary Praise description of the glory of the Lord. The Lord is the object worthy of adortion? love and delight? because He is the Self and friend of all beings.The Lord is the object of adoration? love and delight for the following reason also. He is the primal cause even of Brahma? the Creator of the universe.

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

Through the captivating power of poetic expression, we are once again lifted from the pleasant palace of prosperity and splendor and carried toward the tumult of the battlefield and the wondrous cosmic form. The scene before us shows Arjuna with palms joined together, his voice trembling with fear and wonder as he offers praise to the Lord. This image is a clear reflection of Arjuna's state of mind. This section of eleven verses of hymnic praise represents the finest prayers available in Hindu dharma. Indeed, it is commonly understood that no universal prayer of greater excellence can be conceived in terms of conception, beauty, rhythm, and the profundity of meaning. In this section, we witness how Arjuna's capacity for spiritual discernment gradually recognizes the divine infinite truth behind this cosmic form. When a person gazes at their reflection in a mirror, they are generally unaware of the mirror's surface itself; but if they focus their attention upon that surface, the reflection becomes nearly imperceptible to them. Similarly here, as long as Arjuna remained absorbed in observing each individual form of the cosmic manifestation, he could not recognize the essential truth and infinite nature of this vast form. Now, through this section, it becomes clear that Arjuna had begun to recognize the actual truth and meaning of the cosmic form.