T he eleventh chapter of the Geeta named as VishwaRupa - Darshana Yoga or the Yoga of Cosmic Form has attracted the attention of great scientists and western thinkers. Oppenheimer, Albert Einstein, Thoreau, Carl Jung, Aldous Huxley, etc were great admirers of the concepts of the Ultimate Reality and the interconnectedness of things propounded by the Geeta. The oft quoted statement of Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb that now I am the death is taken from the eleventh chapter of the Geeta. The cosmic cycle of the universe found in the theory of physics resonates with the concept of the beginning and dissolution of the universe propounded in the Geeta. The unchanging nature of cosmic consciousness found in the Geeta specially in the eleventh chapter has been a matter of curiosity in the circles of science and philosophy . In the earlier chapter the immanence of the Supreme Reality has been discussed. Arjuna has heard it. Now he wants to see it because seeing is believing.

 

The physical manifestation of the infinite divinity is visible to the eyes, but the subtle cosmic form needs special vision to see and realise it. This divine vision is the intuition through which the limitless divinity may be grasped. Physical eyes see things through space and time. But intuitive eyes are not limited by the boundaries of space and time. Hence the divine vision realises the totality of the universe in one go. Arjuna is able to see the cosmic form of divinity through his spiritual vision. The origin and dissolution of the universe are constantly taking place in the bosom of the divinity. All the sentient and the non sentient arise from the Infinite, exist in It and finally merge into the boundless expanse of the divinity. The transcendental vision of reality has no past and future.

 

Hence it is one in all and all in one. This concept of universal consciousness is full of wonderment and awe. It is difficult for the mind to understand it. Arjuna is seeing the mass of radiance of thousands of suns. Death and life are the constant display in the realm of Cosmic Reality. Lord Krishna is showing the limitless reality of the macrocosm in his individual microcosm. According to the Vedic concept, a single atom carries the blueprint of the infinite universe in itself. Arjuna is seeing the constant death and creation of life taking place in the fathomless cauldron of the Cosmic Form of the divinity. Arjuna is seeing all his adversaries disappearing into the bosom of the Cosmic Form of the Supreme Reality. The entire chapter is a splendid exposition of the unbroken web of consciousness pervading one and all. Towards the end of the chapter, Lord Krishna makes it clear that this divine vision cannot be acquired by studying scriptures and performing rituals, but by way of unflinching and steadfast devotion which purifies the heart and establishes a connection with the divine by breaking the barriers of delusion and ego.