Grace reveals what effort alone cannot.
Krishna speaks to Arjuna
श्रीभगवानुवाच |मया प्रसन्नेन तवार्जुनेदंरूपं परं दर्शितमात्मयोगात् |तेजोमयं विश्वमनन्तमाद्यंयन्मे त्वदन्येन न दृष्टपूर्वम् ||११-४७||
śrībhagavānuvāca . mayā prasannena tavārjunedaṃ rūpaṃ paraṃ darśitamātmayogāt . tejomayaṃ viśvamanantamādyaṃ yanme tvadanyena na dṛṣṭapūrvam ||11-47||
Use this verse after spiritual insight.
Meaning
The Lord said: Out of grace, by My own yoga, I have shown you this supreme, radiant, universal, infinite, original form, which no one before you has seen.
Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).
In plain words
Krishna confirms that the universal form was shown by grace.
Word-by-word meaning
Tap a word to see its meaning.
Explanation
The highest vision is not earned by ego. It is revealed by Krishna’s grace and divine power when He chooses.
Read the traditional commentary
Krishna responds to Arjuna's plea, but first underscores the magnitude of the grace he has received. The cosmic form was shown maya prasannena — 'by Me, being gracious' — and atma-yogat, through Krishna's own mystic power. It was not earned by Arjuna's effort but freely given out of divine pleasure and love.
The Lord emphasises how rare this gift is: this splendid, infinite, primeval form has never been seen tvad-anyena, by anyone other than Arjuna. He is the first and only one granted such a vision. The teaching gently restores Arjuna's perspective.
In his fear, he had nearly forgotten the privilege of what he witnessed; Krishna reminds him that grace, not entitlement, opened this door. This is the proper context for every spiritual experience. The highest visions come as gifts from divine grace, given according to readiness and love, never seized by the will. To receive such grace is itself cause for the deepest gratitude.
In daily life
Practice sincerely, but stay humble before grace.
A person may meditate daily but still recognize insight as grace, not achievement.
Try this today
Thank Krishna for one insight you did not control.
Krishna reveals by grace.Reflect
Where do I need to remember grace?
Private — only you can see this
Quick check
What does ‘यत् मे त्वदन्येन’ mean in this verse?
The Gita on gratitude, in other chapters
- Verse 18.75 · SanjayaAccess to the highest wisdom comes as a gift of grace, flowing through teacher and the Divine alike.
- Verse 3.12Enjoying life's gifts while giving nothing back is a kind of theft — live in gratitude and contribution, not mere consumption.
- Verse 15.13The strength that holds you up and the nourishment that sustains you are both the Divine at work.
- Verse 10.19The Divine's glories are endless — what is named is only a doorway pointing toward the boundless beyond.
Swipe left for 11.48 · Practice needs devotion and grace.
Questions about Bhagavad Gita 11.47
Who says Bhagavad Gita 11.47, and to whom?
Krishna speaks to Arjuna in verse 11.47, in Chapter 11, Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga).
What does Bhagavad Gita 11.47 mean?
The Lord said: Out of grace, by My own yoga, I have shown you this supreme, radiant, universal, infinite, original form, which no one before you has seen. (Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).)
What is the lesson of Bhagavad Gita 11.47 for daily life?
Practice sincerely, but stay humble before grace. A person may meditate daily but still recognize insight as grace, not achievement.
What do the Sanskrit words in Bhagavad Gita 11.47 mean?
मया प्रसन्नेन — by Me, being gracious; तव अर्जुन इदम् — to you, Arjuna, this; रूपम् परम् — supreme form; दर्शितम् — has been shown; आत्मयोगात् — by My own Yogic power.
Where does verse 11.47 come in the Bhagavad Gita?
It is verse 47 of 55 in Chapter 11, Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga. The next verse is 11.48.