Gita 11.2
Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया | त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम् ||२||
bhavāpyayau hi bhūtānāṁ śrutau vistaraśo mayā | tvattaḥ kamala-patrākṣa māhātmyam api cāvyayam ||2||
In essence: From the lotus-eyed Lord, Arjuna has heard the secret of creation and dissolution - but hearing is not yet seeing.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Why does Arjuna use such a poetic term - 'lotus-petal-eyed'? This seems like an odd moment for poetry."
Guru: "When you're about to ask something enormous from someone, how do you approach them?"
Sadhak: "With respect, maybe even with praise... Oh, he's softening Krishna up for his big request!"
Guru: "That's the surface reading. But look deeper - what do lotus eyes symbolize?"
Sadhak: "The lotus is untouched by the water it floats on..."
Guru: "So what kind of seeing is Arjuna invoking?"
Sadhak: "Vision that sees everything but isn't affected by what it sees. Detached witnessing?"
Guru: "Exactly. Arjuna has just said he's heard about creation and dissolution - the arising and falling away of all beings. That's a heavy topic. The cosmos endlessly forming and dissolving. He invokes Krishna's lotus eyes because he wants that kind of vision: to witness the cosmic dance without drowning in it."
Sadhak: "And 'vistarashah' - in detail. He's heard so much. Isn't that enough?"
Guru: "When has hearing ever been seeing?"
Sadhak: "Never. I can hear about the ocean, but that's different from swimming in it."
Guru: "Arjuna has an ocean of concepts. Now he wants to get wet. He's preparing Krishna for the request: 'You've given me the description - now give me the experience.'"
Did this resonate with you? Share it with someone who needs to hear this.
🌅 Daily Practice
Lotus awareness: As you begin the day, cultivate 'lotus-petal' awareness. Let your eyes see the world without grasping or rejecting. Notice what arises in your environment, in your mind, in your emotions - but like a lotus, remain unattached to any of it. This prepares you for witnessing whatever the day brings.
Bhava-apyaya tracking: Throughout the day, notice the arising and dissolution happening constantly. Projects begin and end. Conversations start and finish. Moods emerge and fade. Thoughts come and go. Practice seeing this as mini-reflections of the cosmic process. Nothing you encounter today is permanent - it has arisen and will dissolve.
Vistarashah review: Before sleep, review what you've 'heard in detail' - the teachings, insights, understandings you've accumulated. Notice the gap between knowing about something and experiencing it directly. Let this gap create healthy spiritual longing, not frustration. Understanding precedes vision.