Devanagari
मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो
दृष्ट्वा रूपं घोरमीदृङ्ममेदम् ।
व्यपेतभी: प्रीतमना: पुनस्त्वं
तदेव मे रूपमिदं प्रपश्य ॥ ४९ ॥
Verse text
mā te vyathā mā ca vimūḍha-bhāvo
dṛṣṭvā rūpaṁ ghoram īdṛṅ mamedam
vyapeta-bhīḥ prīta-manāḥ punas tvaṁ
tad eva me rūpam idaṁ prapaśya
Synonyms
mā
—
let it not be
;
te
—
unto you
;
vyathā
—
trouble
;
mā
—
let it not be
;
ca
—
also
;
vimūḍha-bhāvaḥ
—
bewilderment
;
dṛṣṭvā
—
by seeing
;
rūpam
—
form
;
ghoram
—
horrible
;
īdṛk
—
as it is
;
mama
—
My
;
idam
—
this
;
vyapeta-bhīḥ
—
free from all fear
;
prīta-manāḥ
—
pleased in mind
;
punaḥ
—
again
;
tvam
—
you
;
tat
—
that
;
eva
—
thus
;
me
—
My
;
rūpam
—
form
;
idam
—
this
;
prapaśya
—
just see.
Translation
You have been perturbed and bewildered by seeing this horrible feature of Mine. Now let it be finished. My devotee, be free again from all disturbances. With a peaceful mind you can now see the form you desire.
Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
49. Do not be fearful, do not be bewildered, having seen that terrifying form of Mine. Devoid of fear, pleased in mind, see again this form of Mine.
Translation (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)
49. Do not be disturbed, do not be bewildered, on having seen that terrifying form of Mine. Devoid of fear, pleased in mind, see again this form of Mine that you have requested to see.
Purport
In the beginning of Bhagavad-gītā Arjuna was worried about killing Bhīṣma and Droṇa, his worshipful grandfather and master. But Kṛṣṇa said that he need not be afraid of killing his grandfather. When the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra tried to disrobe Draupadī in the assembly of the Kurus, Bhīṣma and Droṇa were silent, and for such negligence of duty they should be killed. Kṛṣṇa showed His universal form to Arjuna just to show him that these people were already killed for their unlawful action. That scene was shown to Arjuna because devotees are always peaceful and they cannot perform such horrible actions. The purpose of the revelation of the universal form was shown; now Arjuna wanted to see the four-armed form, and Kṛṣṇa showed him. A devotee is not much interested in the universal form, for it does not enable one to reciprocate loving feelings. Either a devotee wants to offer his respectful worshipful feelings, or he wants to see the two-handed Kṛṣṇa form so that he can reciprocate in loving service with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
“O Supreme Lord, why do You not understand me? You are forcibly giving me something which I do not want. Seeing this form of Yours, my limbs are distressed, my mind is pained. Constantly, I am fainting. Let me offer my respects again and again to that majestic form from far away. I will never again pray to see that form. Forgive me, forgive me. Show to me that human form with moon-like face, covered in showers of nectar through the sweetest smiles. Please show that to me.”
The Lord then speaks this verse in a comforting mood to Arjuna who is distressed in the above manner.
Purport (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)
I have shown you the destruction of all these people within My form, to make you understand that all of these, even Bhīsma and others, who stood silent on seeing the defiling of Draupadī, will be killed by Me out of anger at that act. It is not your burden to kill them. So you should not be disturbed (mā te vyathā). Now see this four-handed form which you requested to see.
Surrender Unto Me
Srila Prabhupada says in his Purport: "In the beginning of Bhagavad‑gita Arjuna was worried about killing Bhisma and Drona, his worshipful grandfather and master. But Krsna said that he need not be afraid of killing his grandfather. When the sons of Dhrtarastra tried to disrobe Draupadi in the assembly of the Kurus, Bhisma and Drona were silent, and for such negligence of duty they should be killed. Krsna showed His universal form to Arjuna just to show him that these people were already killed for their unlawful action. That scene was shown to Arjuna because devotees are always peaceful and they cannot perform such horrible actions. The purpose of the revelation o universal form was shown; now Arjuna wanted to see the four‑armed form, and Krsna showed him. A devotee is not much interested in the universal form, for it does not enable o reciprocate loving feelings. Either a devotee wants to offe respectful worshipful feelings, or he wants to see the two‑handed Krsna form so that he can reciprocate in loving service with the Supreme Personality of Godhead."