Devanagari
मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो ।
योगेश्वर ततो मे त्वं दर्शयात्मानमव्ययम् ॥ ४ ॥
Verse text
manyase yadi tac chakyaṁ
mayā draṣṭum iti prabho
yogeśvara tato me tvaṁ
darśayātmānam avyayam
Synonyms
manyase
—
You think
;
yadi
—
if
;
tat
—
that
;
śakyam
—
is able
;
mayā
—
by me
;
draṣṭum
—
to be seen
;
iti
—
thus
;
prabho
—
O Lord
;
yoga-īśvara
—
O Lord of all mystic power
;
tataḥ
—
then
;
me
—
unto me
;
tvam
—
You
;
darśaya
—
show
;
ātmānam
—
Your Self
;
avyayam
—
eternal.
Translation
If You think that I am able to behold Your cosmic form, O my Lord, O master of all mystic power, then kindly show me that unlimited universal Self.
Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
4. If You think that I am qualified to see that form, O master, O Lord of qualification,
Translation (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)
4. If You think that I am qualified to see that form, O master, O Lord of qualification,
Purport
It is said that one can neither see, hear, understand nor perceive the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, by the material senses. But if one is engaged in loving transcendental service to the Lord from the beginning, then one can see the Lord by revelation. Every living entity is only a spiritual spark; therefore it is not possible to see or to understand the Supreme Lord. Arjuna, as a devotee, does not depend on his speculative strength; rather, he admits his limitations as a living entity and acknowledges Kṛṣṇa’s inestimable position. Arjuna could understand that for a living entity it is not possible to understand the unlimited infinite. If the infinite reveals Himself, then it is possible to understand the nature of the infinite by the grace of the infinite. The word yogeśvara is also very significant here because the Lord has inconceivable power. If He likes, He can reveal Himself by His grace, although He is unlimited. Therefore Arjuna pleads for the inconceivable grace of Kṛṣṇa. He does not give Kṛṣṇa orders. Kṛṣṇa is not obliged to reveal Himself unless one surrenders fully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and engages in devotional service. Thus it is not possible for persons who depend on the strength of their mental speculations to see Kṛṣṇa.
Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
then show to me that indestructible form.
The word yogeśvara indicates that though Arjuna is unqualified (ayogya), the Lord with His power of qualification (yoga), can make him qualified to see that form.
Purport (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)
then show to me that indestructible form.
In this verse, Arjuna receives permission from the Lord to see that form of power. If You think, if You know, if You desire, that I am qualified to see that form, O master of all (prabho), show that indestructible form to me. O lord of qualification (yogeśvara), if I am not qualified (ayogya) to see You, Your śakti will make me qualified.
Surrender Unto Me
Srila Prabhupada explains in his Purport: "Every living entity is only a spiritual spark; therefore it is not possible to see or to understand the Supreme Lord. Arjuna, as a devotee, does not depend on his speculative strength; rather, he admits his limitations as a living entity and acknowledges Krsna's inestimable position. Arjuna could understand that for a l entity it is not possible to understand the unlimited infinite. If the infinite reveals Himself, then it is possible to understand the nature of the infinite by the grace of the infinite. The word yogesvara is also very significant here because the Lord has inconceivable power. If He likes, He can reveal Himself by His grace, although He is unlimited. Therefore Arjuna pleads for the inconceivable grace of Krsna. He does not give Krsna orders. Krsna is not obliged to reveal Himself unless one surrenders fully in Krsna consciousness and engages in devotional service. Thus it is not possible for persons who depend on the strength of their mental speculations to see Krsna."
Arjuna knows that Krsna is not obliged to show His universal form, that's why he says: "If You think that I am qualified, then show me".
Now Arjuna will be able to see the opulences which Krsna has previously spoken of.
[2. Krsna first describes His universal form of opulences, demigods, and time, which He'll soon show Arjun. He then bestows upon Arjuna, the divine eyes necessary to see it. (5‑8) ]