In Bhagavad Gita 11.2, Arjuna says he has heard from Krishna in detail about the origin and dissolution of beings and about Krishna’s imperishable greatness.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां
श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया
त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष
माहात्म्यमपि चाव्ययम् ॥ ११-२ ॥
bhavāpyayau hi bhūtānāṃ
śrutau vistaraśo mayā
tvattaḥ kamalapatrākṣa
māhātmyamapi cāvyayam
English transliteration bhavaapyayau hi bhootaanaam
shrutau vistarasho mayaa
tvattah kamalapatraaksha
maahaatmyamapi chaavyayam ॥ 11.2 ॥
Translation / Meaning
For I have heard from You in detail about the origin and dissolution of beings, O lotus-eyed one, and also about Your imperishable greatness.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| भवाप्ययौ bhavāpyayau | origin and dissolution bhava (origin) + apyayau (dissolution) |
| हि hi | for |
| भूतानाम् bhūtānām | of beings |
| श्रुतौ śrutau | have been heard |
| विस्तरशः vistaraśaḥ | in detail |
| मया mayā | by me |
| त्वत्तः tvattaḥ | from You |
| कमलपत्राक्ष kamalapatrākṣa | O lotus-eyed one kamala (lotus) + patra (petal) + akṣa (eyed) |
| माहात्म्यम् māhātmyam | greatness |
| अपि api | also |
| च ca | and |
| अव्ययम् avyayam | imperishable |
Word-wise Chanting
- bha–vāp–ya–yau hi bhū–tā–nāṃ 8 syllables bha-vaap-ya-yau hi bhoo-taa-naam
- śru–tau vis–ta–ra–śo ma–yā | 8 syllables shru-tau vis-ta-ra-sho ma-yaa
- tvat–taḥ ka–ma–la–pat–rā–kṣa 8 syllables tvat-tah ka-ma-la-pat-raa-ksha
- mā–hāt–mya–ma–pi cāv–ya–yam || 11-2 8 syllables maa-haat-mya-ma-pi chaav-ya-yam
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 11 Verse 2
Context
Arjuna continues his response (11.1–11.4).
Meaning
Arjuna summarises what he has learned: how beings arise and dissolve, and the avyaya māhātmya, the imperishable greatness of the Divine. He addresses Krishna tenderly as kamala-patrākṣa, the one whose eyes are like lotus petals.
Arjuna’s words combine knowledge and affection. He has understood the teaching, and his love for Krishna has deepened with it.
In Practice
Summarise in one sentence what you have learned from the Gita so far.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga (The Vision of the Universal Form). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.