Verse Text
ghora-kriyādy-anubhāvād ācchādya sahajāṁ ratim |
durvarāvirabhūd bhītir moho yaṁ bhī-vaśas tataḥ ||215||
Translation
Uncontrollable fear appeared from Arjuna experiencing the frightful actions of the universal form. This covers the rati of Arjuna. The vyabhicāri-bhāva of moha is under the control of a fear which is not a secondary rati.
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
From seeing terrifying form of the Lord with which he was unfamiliar, Arjuna simply had fear that the universal form would devour the whole world. This is not bhaya-rati. [Note: The fear is not related to the Lord, whereas when the cowherd men fear that Kṛṣṇa may be harmed by the forest fire that fear is considered genuine bhaya-rati. Similarly the anger of Bhīma in verse 211 is considered genuine krodha-rati, since the anger is related to insults made to Kṛṣṇa.]
O mighty-armed one, seeing this great form with many mouths and eyes, many arms, thighs and feet, many stomachs, fearful with many teeth, the world is filled with terror. BG 11.23
From this statement it is understood that it is not rati. However, the following description is different:
O controller of the senses! Rightly, the world rejoices and becomes attracted to You by this celebrated form. BG 11.36
Thus Arjuna’s resulting moha is not part of a secondary rati. Therefore, it is considered avara or inferior.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
Sometimes ghastly activities also support strong ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa. This state of mind is called ecstatic fearfulness under illusion.