Chapter 11, Verse 14
ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो हृष्टरोमा धनञ्जयः | प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं कृताञ्जलिरभाषत ||११-१४||
tataḥ sa vismayāviṣṭo hṛṣṭaromā dhanañjayaḥ . praṇamya śirasā devaṃ kṛtāñjalirabhāṣata ||11-14||
Meaning
11.14 Then, Arjuna, filled with wonder and with his hair standing on end, bowed down his head to the God and spoke with joined palms.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Explanation & Commentary
Arjuna's whole body responds before his words do. He is vismaya-avista, overwhelmed with wonder, and hrsta-roma — the hair of his body stands erect. This physical thrill is described in the scriptures as a sign of intense spiritual emotion, the soul stirred beyond what the mind can contain.
His gestures are those of the worshipper: he bows his head and joins his palms before speaking. Moments earlier, Arjuna addressed Krishna as his friend and charioteer; now reverence overtakes familiarity. The encounter with the infinite naturally draws the self into humility and praise. There is deep instruction here about how genuine spiritual experience touches us. It is not merely an idea grasped by the intellect — it moves the body, silences the chatter of the mind, and bends the proud head. Before Arjuna can frame a single sentence, awe has already brought him to his knees.
💡 Key Takeaway
A true encounter with the Divine moves the whole being, drawing us naturally into reverence and awe.
Related Verses
भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया | त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम् ||११-२||
bhavāpyayau hi bhūtānāṃ śrutau vistaraśo mayā . tvattaḥ kamalapatrākṣa māhātmyamapi cāvyayam ||11-2||
11.2 The origin and the destruction of beings verily have been heard by me in detail from Thee, O lotus-eyed Lord, and also Thy inexhaustible greatness.
एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर | द्रष्टुमिच्छामि ते रूपमैश्वरं पुरुषोत्तम ||११-३||
evametadyathāttha tvamātmānaṃ parameśvara . draṣṭumicchāmi te rūpamaiśvaraṃ puruṣottama ||11-3||
11.3 (Now) O Supreme Lord, as Thou hast thus described Thyself, O Supreme Person, I wish to see Thy divine form.
मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो | योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयात्मानमव्ययम् ||११-४||
manyase yadi tacchakyaṃ mayā draṣṭumiti prabho . yogeśvara tato me tvaṃ darśayātmānamavyayam ||11-4||
11.4 If Thou, O Lord, thinkest it possible for me to see it, do Thou, then, O Lord of the Yogins, show me Thy imperishable Self.