Krishna guides fear back to peace.
Krishna speaks to Arjuna
मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावोदृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्ममेदम् |व्यपेतभीः प्रीतमनाः पुनस्त्वंतदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य ||११-४९||
mā te vyathā mā ca vimūḍhabhāvo dṛṣṭvā rūpaṃ ghoramīdṛṅmamedam . vyapetabhīḥ prītamanāḥ punastvaṃ tadeva me rūpamidaṃ prapaśya ||11-49||
Use this verse after intense fear or prayer.
Meaning
Do not be distressed or bewildered after seeing this terrible form of Mine. Be free from fear and cheerful again; now behold My familiar form.
Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).
In plain words
Krishna comforts Arjuna after the overwhelming vision.
Word-by-word meaning
Tap a word to see its meaning.
Explanation
The Divine who overwhelms also consoles. Krishna does not leave Arjuna in fear; He guides him back to peace.
Read the traditional commentary
Krishna's voice turns wholly tender. He reassures his frightened devotee: ma te vyatha ma ca vimudha-bhavah — 'let there be no fear, no bewilderment' at having seen this ghora, terrible form. The Lord who revealed the cosmos as destroyer now bends down to comfort the trembling heart before Him.
He invites Arjuna to become vyapeta-bhih, free from fear, and prita-manah, glad at heart, and to behold once more the gentle, familiar form. This is the loving resolution of the entire chapter. The same Divine that overwhelmed Arjuna now soothes him.
The terrifying vision was not given to crush but to liberate — to free him from his illusions about life, death, and his own role. Having served its purpose, it gives way again to grace and gentleness. The deepest truth here is consoling: behind even the most fearsome face of Reality is a love that does not wish us to remain in fear, but calls us back to peace and gladness.
In daily life
After intense realization, return gently to steadiness.
After a deep emotional prayer, a person can breathe and visualize Krishna’s gentle form.
Try this today
Take three breaths and remember Krishna’s gentle presence.
Krishna brings me back to peace.Reflect
What helps me return from fear to peace?
Private — only you can see this
Quick check
What does ‘दृष्ट्वा रूपम् घोरम्’ mean in this verse?
The Gita on love, in other chapters
- Verse 10.10Steady, loving devotion invites a grace that grants the very wisdom needed to reach the Divine.
- Verse 18.64The deepest spiritual truths are shared not as commands but as tender gifts of love to the beloved devotee.
- Verse 2.35A defining moment of cowardice can undo the credit of a lifetime of courage — meet your critical hour with the same standard you have set for yourself all along.
- Verse 1.28 · SanjayaTrue compassion acts for long-term welfare even when it causes short-term pain; distinguish between wise love and sentiment that masks avoidance.
Swipe left for 11.50 · The personal form restores the heart.
Questions about Bhagavad Gita 11.49
Who says Bhagavad Gita 11.49, and to whom?
Krishna speaks to Arjuna in verse 11.49, in Chapter 11, Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga).
What does Bhagavad Gita 11.49 mean?
Do not be distressed or bewildered after seeing this terrible form of Mine. Be free from fear and cheerful again; now behold My familiar form. (Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).)
What is the lesson of Bhagavad Gita 11.49 for daily life?
After intense realization, return gently to steadiness. After a deep emotional prayer, a person can breathe and visualize Krishna’s gentle form.
What do the Sanskrit words in Bhagavad Gita 11.49 mean?
मा ते व्यथा — let there be no fear in you; मा च विमूढभावः — nor any bewilderment; दृष्ट्वा रूपम् घोरम् — having seen the terrible form; ईदृक् मम इदम् — this such (form) of Mine; व्यपेतभीः — free from fear.
Where does verse 11.49 come in the Bhagavad Gita?
It is verse 49 of 55 in Chapter 11, Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga. The next verse is 11.50.